LU4: Composite rate of labour underutilization in MENA

MENA: LU4: Composite rate of labour underutilization was 22.06 in 2027. ▼ Falling

Latest (2027)
22.06
Change on year
down 0.5%
Rank
15th
of 87 groups
All-time high
26.36
in 2017
All-time low
21.89
in 2023
Years of data
23
2005–2027

LU4: Composite rate of labour underutilization in MENA, 2005–2027

01020302005201620272005: 25.32006: 24.12007: 23.42008: 23.22009: 23.32010: 23.72011: 24.42012: 24.82013: 24.32014: 24.42015: 252016: 24.92017: 26.42018: 24.72019: 23.82020: 25.52021: 24.42022: 22.82023: 21.92024: 22.32025: 22.32026: 22.22027: 22.1

Source: International Labour Organization.

Analysis

The most recent figure for lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization in MENA is 22.06, measured in 2027.

The figure is down 0.5% on the previous year and down 16.3% over ten years.

Over the whole period, lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization in MENA peaked at 26.36 in 2017 and was at its lowest, 21.89, in 2023.

That places MENA 15th out of 87 groups with data for 2027, putting it in the top quarter.

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

LU4: Composite rate of labour underutilization in MENA, year by year

Annual values for LU4: Composite rate of labour underutilization (ILO modelled estimates) in MENA, 2005 to 2027.
Year Value Change
2005 25.25
2006 24.11 -4.5%
2007 23.43 -2.8%
2008 23.2 -1.0%
2009 23.29 +0.4%
2010 23.73 +1.9%
2011 24.42 +2.9%
2012 24.79 +1.5%
2013 24.35 -1.8%
2014 24.45 +0.4%
2015 25.02 +2.3%
2016 24.89 -0.5%
2017 26.36 +5.9%
2018 24.71 -6.3%
2019 23.84 -3.5%
2020 25.52 +7.1%
2021 24.38 -4.5%
2022 22.77 -6.6%
2023 21.89 -3.9%
2024 22.34 +2.1%
2025 22.27 -0.3%
2026 22.18 -0.4%
2027 22.06 -0.5%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 23.86 23.2 25.25 5
2010s 24.66 23.73 26.36 10
2020s 22.93 21.89 25.52 8

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Frequently asked questions

What is lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization in MENA?
Lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization in MENA was 22.06 in 2027, according to International Labour Organization.
What is the highest lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization recorded in MENA?
The highest recorded value was 26.36 in 2017.
What is the lowest lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization recorded in MENA?
The lowest recorded value was 21.89 in 2023.
How does MENA rank for lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization?
MENA ranks 15th out of 87 groups with data for 2027.
Is lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization rising or falling in MENA?
Over the last ten years it is down 16.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
Where does this MENA data come from?
The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of LU4: Composite rate of labour underutilization (ILO modelled estimates). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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LU4: Composite rate of labour underutilization in MENA. Statizoid, drawing on International Labour Organization. Retrieved 08 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/lu4-composite-rate-of-labour-underutilization-ilo-modelled-estimates/mena/

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About this data

Indicator
LU4: Composite rate 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. LU4 represents the share of the extended labour force that are in unemployment, time-related underemployment or the potential labour force. For more information, refer to the ILO Modelled Estimates (ILOEST) database description.