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

Malawi: LU3: Combined rate of unemployment and potential labour force was 38.8 in 2024. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2024)
38.8
World rank
2nd
of 89 countries
All-time high
38.8
in 2024
All-time low
4.96
in 2005
Years of data
5
2005–2024

LU3: Combined rate of unemployment and potential labour force in Malawi, 2005–2024

0102030402005201420242005: 52011: 9.92013: 8.52017: 20.62024: 38.8

Source: International Labour Organization.

Analysis

In 2024, lu3: combined rate of unemployment and potential labour force in Malawi stood at 38.8. That is the highest value across all 5 years on record.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 354.5% over ten years.

Over the whole period, lu3: combined rate of unemployment and potential labour force in Malawi peaked at 38.8 in 2024 and was at its lowest, 4.96, in 2005.

Malawi ranks 2nd of 89 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.

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

Annual values for LU3: Combined rate of unemployment and potential labour force (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) (15+) in Malawi, 2005 to 2024.
Year Value Change
2005 4.96
2011 9.87 +99.2%
2013 8.54 -13.5%
2017 20.61 +141.4%
2024 38.8 +88.3%

Malawi compared with similar countries

  • Malawi's 38.8 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 18.78, 2.1× the median. (12 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 4.96 4.96 4.96 1
2010s 13.01 8.54 20.61 3
2020s 38.8 38.8 38.8 1

Countries ranked near Malawi

  1. 1 South Africa 41.8 compare
  2. 3 Senegal 33.58 compare
  3. 4 Kosovo 31.3 compare
  4. 5 Palestine 30.38 compare

See the full ranking of 89 places →

More work & labour data for Malawi

All data for Malawi →

Frequently asked questions

What is lu3: combined rate of unemployment and potential labour force in Malawi?
Lu3: combined rate of unemployment and potential labour force in Malawi was 38.8 in 2024, according to International Labour Organization.
What is the highest lu3: combined rate of unemployment and potential labour force recorded in Malawi?
The highest recorded value was 38.8 in 2024.
What is the lowest lu3: combined rate of unemployment and potential labour force recorded in Malawi?
The lowest recorded value was 4.96 in 2005.
How does Malawi rank for lu3: combined rate of unemployment and potential labour force?
Malawi ranks 2nd out of 89 countries with data for 2024.
Is lu3: combined rate of unemployment and potential labour force rising or falling in Malawi?
Over the last ten years it is up 354.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Malawi data come from?
The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of LU3: Combined rate of unemployment and potential labour force (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) (15+). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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LU3: Combined rate of unemployment and potential labour force in Malawi. Statizoid, drawing on International Labour Organization. Retrieved 21 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/lu3-combined-rate-of-unemployment-and-potential-labour-force-previous-ilo-definition/malawi/

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About this data

Indicator
LU3: Combined rate of unemployment and potential labour force (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) (15+)
Source
International Labour Organization
Licence
ILO Terms of Use (attribution required)
Coverage
89 places, 1,503 data points, 1987–2025
Last refreshed

With the aim of promoting international comparability, statistics presented on ILOSTAT are based on standard international definitions wherever feasible and may differ from official national figures. This series is based on the 13th ICLS definitions. For time series comparability, it includes countries that have implemented the 19th ICLS standards, for which data are also available in the Work Statistics -- 19th ICLS (WORK) database. LU3 represents the share of the extended labour force that are in unemployment or the potential labour force. Data disaggregated by level of education are provided on the highest level of education completed, classified according to the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED). Data may have been regrouped from national classifications, which may not be strictly compatible with ISCED. For more information, refer to the Education and Mismatch Indicators (EMI) database description.