LU4: Composite rate of labour underutilization in Western Africa

Western Africa: LU4: Composite rate of labour underutilization was 15.52 in 2027. ▼ Falling

Latest (2027)
15.52
Change on year
up 0.3%
Rank
36th
of 87 groups
All-time high
19.43
in 2020
All-time low
15.38
in 2024
Years of data
23
2005–2027

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

051015202005201620272005: 17.22006: 172007: 172008: 172009: 172010: 172011: 172012: 172013: 16.62014: 172015: 17.72016: 17.92017: 17.82018: 17.92019: 17.92020: 19.42021: 18.42022: 16.82023: 15.42024: 15.42025: 15.42026: 15.52027: 15.5

Source: International Labour Organization.

Analysis

The most recent figure for lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization in Western Africa is 15.52, measured in 2027.

That represents a change of up 0.3% on the previous year and down 13.0% over ten years.

Over the whole period, lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization in Western Africa peaked at 19.43 in 2020 and was at its lowest, 15.38, in 2024.

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

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

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

Annual values for LU4: Composite rate of labour underutilization (ILO modelled estimates) in Western Africa, 2005 to 2027.
Year Value Change
2005 17.18
2006 17.02 -0.9%
2007 17.03 +0.1%
2008 17.02 -0.1%
2009 17.04 +0.1%
2010 16.97 -0.4%
2011 16.97 -0.0%
2012 16.99 +0.1%
2013 16.58 -2.4%
2014 17.04 +2.7%
2015 17.68 +3.8%
2016 17.95 +1.5%
2017 17.84 -0.6%
2018 17.89 +0.3%
2019 17.89 -0.0%
2020 19.43 +8.6%
2021 18.36 -5.5%
2022 16.82 -8.4%
2023 15.44 -8.2%
2024 15.38 -0.3%
2025 15.42 +0.2%
2026 15.47 +0.3%
2027 15.52 +0.3%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 17.06 17.02 17.18 5
2010s 17.38 16.58 17.95 10
2020s 16.48 15.38 19.43 8

More work & labour data for Western Africa

All data for Western Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization in Western Africa?
Lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization in Western Africa was 15.52 in 2027, according to International Labour Organization.
What is the highest lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization recorded in Western Africa?
The highest recorded value was 19.43 in 2020.
What is the lowest lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization recorded in Western Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 15.38 in 2024.
How does Western Africa rank for lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization?
Western Africa ranks 36th out of 87 groups with data for 2027.
Is lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization rising or falling in Western Africa?
Over the last ten years it is down 13.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
Where does this Western Africa 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 Western Africa. 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/western-africa/

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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.