LU3: Combined rate of unemployment and potential labour force in Africa

Africa: LU3: Combined rate of unemployment and potential labour force was 12.39 in 2027. ▬ Flat

Latest (2027)
12.39
Change on year
down 0.4%
Rank
23rd
of 87 groups
All-time high
14.27
in 2020
All-time low
12.16
in 2008
Years of data
24
2004–2027

LU3: Combined rate of unemployment and potential labour force in Africa, 2004–2027

0510152004201520272004: 13.12005: 12.82006: 12.52007: 12.32008: 12.22009: 12.32010: 12.52011: 12.72012: 12.72013: 12.42014: 12.52015: 12.82016: 12.92017: 132018: 132019: 13.12020: 14.32021: 13.82022: 12.92023: 12.32024: 12.52025: 12.52026: 12.42027: 12.4

Source: International Labour Organization.

Analysis

Africa recorded 12.39 for lu3: combined rate of unemployment and potential labour force in 2027.

The figure is down 0.4% on the previous year and down 4.7% over ten years.

Over the whole period, lu3: combined rate of unemployment and potential labour force in Africa peaked at 14.27 in 2020 and was at its lowest, 12.16, in 2008.

Africa ranks 23rd of 87 groups on this measure, in the middle of the range.

LU3: Combined rate of unemployment and potential labour force in Africa, year by year

Annual values for LU3: Combined rate of unemployment and potential labour force (ILO modelled estimates) in Africa, 2004 to 2027.
Year Value Change
2004 13.1
2005 12.85 -1.9%
2006 12.46 -3.0%
2007 12.32 -1.1%
2008 12.16 -1.3%
2009 12.28 +0.9%
2010 12.51 +1.9%
2011 12.74 +1.8%
2012 12.74 -0.0%
2013 12.36 -3.0%
2014 12.52 +1.2%
2015 12.8 +2.2%
2016 12.89 +0.7%
2017 13.01 +0.9%
2018 13 -0.1%
2019 13.07 +0.6%
2020 14.27 +9.1%
2021 13.81 -3.2%
2022 12.9 -6.6%
2023 12.34 -4.3%
2024 12.48 +1.1%
2025 12.49 +0.1%
2026 12.44 -0.5%
2027 12.39 -0.4%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 12.53 12.16 13.1 6
2010s 12.76 12.36 13.07 10
2020s 12.89 12.34 14.27 8

More work & labour data for Africa

All data for Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is lu3: combined rate of unemployment and potential labour force in Africa?
Lu3: combined rate of unemployment and potential labour force in Africa was 12.39 in 2027, according to International Labour Organization.
What is the highest lu3: combined rate of unemployment and potential labour force recorded in Africa?
The highest recorded value was 14.27 in 2020.
What is the lowest lu3: combined rate of unemployment and potential labour force recorded in Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 12.16 in 2008.
How does Africa rank for lu3: combined rate of unemployment and potential labour force?
Africa ranks 23rd out of 87 groups with data for 2027.
Is lu3: combined rate of unemployment and potential labour force rising or falling in Africa?
Over the last ten years it is down 4.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
Where does this Africa data come from?
The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of LU3: Combined rate of unemployment and potential labour force (ILO modelled estimates). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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LU3: Combined rate of unemployment and potential labour force in Africa. Statizoid, drawing on International Labour Organization. Retrieved 17 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/lu3-combined-rate-of-unemployment-and-potential-labour-force-ilo-modelled-estimates/africa/

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About this data

Indicator
LU3: Combined rate of unemployment and potential labour force (ILO modelled estimates)
Source
International Labour Organization
Licence
ILO Terms of Use (attribution required)
Coverage
87 places, 2,088 data points, 2004–2027
Last refreshed

Imputed observations are not based on national data, are subject to high uncertainty and should not be used for country comparisons or rankings. This series is based on the 13th ICLS definitions. LU3 represents the share of the extended labour force that are in unemployment or the potential labour force. For more information, refer to the ILO Modelled Estimates (ILOEST) database description.