LU4: Composite measure of labour underutilization in Western Africa

Western Africa: LU4: Composite measure of labour underutilization was 35,167 in 2027. ▲ Rising

Latest (2027)
35,167
Change on year
up 3.3%
Rank
36th
of 87 groups
All-time high
35,501
in 2020
All-time low
21,382
in 2005
Years of data
23
2005–2027

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

010.0k20.0k30.0k40.0k2005201620272005: 21.4k2006: 21.7k2007: 22.3k2008: 22.8k2009: 23.5k2010: 24.0k2011: 24.6k2012: 25.3k2013: 25.2k2014: 26.6k2015: 28.4k2016: 29.8k2017: 30.2k2018: 31.2k2019: 32.0k2020: 35.5k2021: 34.7k2022: 32.9k2023: 31.2k2024: 32.0k2025: 33.0k2026: 34.1k2027: 35.2k

Source: International Labour Organization.

Analysis

Western Africa recorded 35,167 for lu4: composite measure of labour underutilization in 2027.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 3.3% on the previous year and up 16.3% over ten years.

Over the whole period, lu4: composite measure of labour underutilization in Western Africa peaked at 35,501 in 2020 and was at its lowest, 21,382, in 2005.

Western Africa ranks 36th of 87 groups on this measure, in the middle of the range.

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

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

Annual values for LU4: Composite measure of labour underutilization (ILO modelled estimates) in Western Africa, 2005 to 2027.
Year Value Change
2005 21,382
2006 21,720 +1.6%
2007 22,289 +2.6%
2008 22,844 +2.5%
2009 23,479 +2.8%
2010 23,989 +2.2%
2011 24,613 +2.6%
2012 25,276 +2.7%
2013 25,248 -0.1%
2014 26,626 +5.5%
2015 28,437 +6.8%
2016 29,793 +4.8%
2017 30,227 +1.5%
2018 31,175 +3.1%
2019 32,007 +2.7%
2020 35,501 +10.9%
2021 34,668 -2.3%
2022 32,907 -5.1%
2023 31,163 -5.3%
2024 31,967 +2.6%
2025 32,983 +3.2%
2026 34,054 +3.2%
2027 35,167 +3.3%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 22,343 21,382 23,479 5
2010s 27,739 23,989 32,007 10
2020s 33,551 31,163 35,501 8

More work & labour data for Western Africa

All data for Western Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is lu4: composite measure of labour underutilization in Western Africa?
Lu4: composite measure of labour underutilization in Western Africa was 35,167 in 2027, according to International Labour Organization.
What is the highest lu4: composite measure of labour underutilization recorded in Western Africa?
The highest recorded value was 35,501 in 2020.
What is the lowest lu4: composite measure of labour underutilization recorded in Western Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 21,382 in 2005.
How does Western Africa rank for lu4: composite measure of labour underutilization?
Western Africa ranks 36th out of 87 groups with data for 2027.
Is lu4: composite measure of labour underutilization rising or falling in Western Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 16.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Western 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 Western 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/western-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.