LU4: Composite measure of labour underutilization in Africa

Africa: LU4: Composite measure of labour underutilization was 145,600 in 2027. ▲ Rising

Latest (2027)
145,600
Change on year
up 2.6%
Rank
10th
of 87 groups
All-time high
145,600
in 2027
All-time low
80,309
in 2005
Years of data
23
2005–2027

LU4: Composite measure of labour underutilization in Africa, 2005–2027

050.0k100.0k150.0k2005201620272005: 80.3k2006: 81.1k2007: 83.2k2008: 85.1k2009: 88.5k2010: 92.7k2011: 97.2k2012: 100.0k2013: 102.0k2014: 105.1k2015: 109.5k2016: 112.8k2017: 115.9k2018: 118.3k2019: 121.1k2020: 132.6k2021: 131.9k2022: 129.5k2023: 129.6k2024: 134.5k2025: 138.5k2026: 142.0k2027: 145.6k

Source: International Labour Organization.

Analysis

Africa recorded 145,600 for lu4: composite measure of labour underutilization in 2027. That is the highest value across all 23 years on record.

That represents a change of up 2.6% on the previous year and up 25.6% over ten years.

Over the whole period, lu4: composite measure of labour underutilization in Africa peaked at 145,600 in 2027 and was at its lowest, 80,309, in 2005.

Africa ranks 10th of 87 groups on this measure, in the top quarter.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 23 years of available data.

LU4: Composite measure of labour underutilization in Africa, year by year

Annual values for LU4: Composite measure of labour underutilization (ILO modelled estimates) in Africa, 2005 to 2027.
Year Value Change
2005 80,309
2006 81,056 +0.9%
2007 83,182 +2.6%
2008 85,112 +2.3%
2009 88,528 +4.0%
2010 92,695 +4.7%
2011 97,243 +4.9%
2012 100,047 +2.9%
2013 102,028 +2.0%
2014 105,089 +3.0%
2015 109,469 +4.2%
2016 112,767 +3.0%
2017 115,935 +2.8%
2018 118,321 +2.1%
2019 121,119 +2.4%
2020 132,551 +9.4%
2021 131,851 -0.5%
2022 129,529 -1.8%
2023 129,642 +0.1%
2024 134,500 +3.7%
2025 138,474 +3.0%
2026 141,972 +2.5%
2027 145,600 +2.6%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 83,637 80,309 88,528 5
2010s 107,471 92,695 121,119 10
2020s 135,515 129,529 145,600 8

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Frequently asked questions

What is lu4: composite measure of labour underutilization in Africa?
Lu4: composite measure of labour underutilization in Africa was 145,600 in 2027, according to International Labour Organization.
What is the highest lu4: composite measure of labour underutilization recorded in Africa?
The highest recorded value was 145,600 in 2027.
What is the lowest lu4: composite measure of labour underutilization recorded in Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 80,309 in 2005.
How does Africa rank for lu4: composite measure of labour underutilization?
Africa ranks 10th out of 87 groups with data for 2027.
Is lu4: composite measure of labour underutilization rising or falling in Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 25.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Africa data come from?
The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of LU4: Composite measure of labour underutilization (ILO modelled estimates). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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LU4: Composite measure of labour underutilization in Africa. Statizoid, drawing on International Labour Organization. Retrieved 09 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/lu4-composite-measure-of-labour-underutilization-ilo-modelled-estimates/africa/

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About this data

Indicator
LU4: Composite measure of labour underutilization (ILO modelled estimates)
Source
International Labour Organization
Licence
ILO Terms of Use (attribution required)
Coverage
87 places, 2,001 data points, 2005–2027
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. The composite measure of labour underutilization includes persons who are in unemployment, time-related underemployment or the potential labour force. For more information, refer to the ILO Modelled Estimates (ILOEST) database description.