Employment rate in Congo
Congo: Employment rate was 54.3% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Latest (2025)
54.3%
Change on year
down 0.0%
World rank
119th
of 186 countries
All-time high
55.0%
in 1991
All-time low
50.5%
in 2020
Years of data
35
1991–2025
Employment rate in Congo, 1991–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for employment rate in Congo is 54.3%, measured in 2025.
The figure is down 0.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, employment rate in Congo peaked at 55.0% in 1991 and was at its lowest, 50.5%, in 2020.
Congo ranks 119th of 186 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Employment rate in Congo, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 55.0% | — |
| 1992 | 54.9% | -0.1% |
| 1993 | 54.8% | -0.2% |
| 1994 | 54.6% | -0.4% |
| 1995 | 54.6% | +0.0% |
| 1996 | 54.7% | +0.2% |
| 1997 | 54.8% | +0.2% |
| 1998 | 54.8% | -0.0% |
| 1999 | 54.6% | -0.4% |
| 2000 | 54.7% | +0.1% |
| 2001 | 54.6% | -0.2% |
| 2002 | 54.7% | +0.3% |
| 2003 | 54.5% | -0.3% |
| 2004 | 54.5% | -0.1% |
| 2005 | 54.5% | +0.0% |
| 2006 | 54.6% | +0.2% |
| 2007 | 54.3% | -0.5% |
| 2008 | 54.3% | -0.1% |
| 2009 | 54.3% | +0.1% |
| 2010 | 54.7% | +0.6% |
| 2011 | 54.6% | -0.1% |
| 2012 | 54.6% | +0.0% |
| 2013 | 54.5% | -0.3% |
| 2014 | 54.6% | +0.3% |
| 2015 | 54.5% | -0.3% |
| 2016 | 54.3% | -0.3% |
| 2017 | 54.0% | -0.5% |
| 2018 | 53.9% | -0.1% |
| 2019 | 54.2% | +0.4% |
| 2020 | 50.5% | -6.8% |
| 2021 | 51.1% | +1.3% |
| 2022 | 54.3% | +6.1% |
| 2023 | 54.4% | +0.2% |
| 2024 | 54.3% | -0.0% |
| 2025 | 54.3% | -0.0% |
Congo compared with similar countries
- Congo's 54.3% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 54.4%, 100% of the median. (46 countries reporting)
- Congo's 54.3% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 58.8%, 92% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 54.8% | 54.6% | 55.0% | 9 |
| 2000s | 54.5% | 54.3% | 54.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 54.4% | 53.9% | 54.7% | 10 |
| 2020s | 53.2% | 50.5% | 54.4% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Congo
More work & labour data for Congo
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.6949 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.6877 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.7017 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate 0.2906 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 2.46 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 9,208 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 2,302 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 10,131 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 9,894 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 20,026 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is employment rate in Congo?
- Employment rate in Congo was 54.3% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest employment rate recorded in Congo?
- The highest recorded value was 55.0% in 1991.
- What is the lowest employment rate recorded in Congo?
- The lowest recorded value was 50.5% in 2020.
- How does Congo rank for employment rate?
- Congo ranks 119th out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is employment rate rising or falling in Congo?
- Over the last ten years it is down 0.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Congo data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Employment rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the working-age population (ages 15 and older) who are employed.