Potential labour force rate in Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa: Potential labour force rate was 6.13 in 2027. ▲ Rising
Potential labour force rate in Sub-Saharan Africa, 2004–2027
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
The most recent figure for potential labour force rate in Sub-Saharan Africa is 6.13, measured in 2027.
That represents a change of up 0.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, potential labour force rate in Sub-Saharan Africa peaked at 7.21 in 2020 and was at its lowest, 5.63, in 2008.
Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 21st of 87 groups on this measure, in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 24 years of available data.
Potential labour force rate in Sub-Saharan Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 5.82 | — |
| 2005 | 5.72 | -1.7% |
| 2006 | 5.67 | -1.0% |
| 2007 | 5.64 | -0.5% |
| 2008 | 5.63 | -0.1% |
| 2009 | 5.79 | +2.9% |
| 2010 | 5.95 | +2.7% |
| 2011 | 5.86 | -1.6% |
| 2012 | 5.85 | -0.0% |
| 2013 | 5.66 | -3.4% |
| 2014 | 5.78 | +2.2% |
| 2015 | 5.93 | +2.6% |
| 2016 | 6.12 | +3.2% |
| 2017 | 6.13 | +0.2% |
| 2018 | 6.28 | +2.5% |
| 2019 | 6.39 | +1.8% |
| 2020 | 7.21 | +12.9% |
| 2021 | 6.57 | -9.0% |
| 2022 | 6.45 | -1.8% |
| 2023 | 6.02 | -6.6% |
| 2024 | 6.08 | +1.0% |
| 2025 | 6.14 | +1.0% |
| 2026 | 6.13 | -0.1% |
| 2027 | 6.13 | -0.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 5.71 | 5.63 | 5.82 | 6 |
| 2010s | 5.99 | 5.66 | 6.39 | 10 |
| 2020s | 6.34 | 6.02 | 7.21 | 8 |
More work & labour data for Sub-Saharan Africa
- Labour force (ILO modelled estimates) 564,978 (2027)
- Labour force participation rate (ILO modelled estimates) 70.23 (2027)
- Persons outside the labour force (ILO modelled estimates) 239,462 (2027)
- Persons outside the labour force (ILO modelled estimates) (15+) 3.04 % change on previous year (2027)
- Labour force (ILO modelled estimates) (15+), annual growth rate 2.92 % change on previous year (2027)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) 75.6% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages) 71.6% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) 70.3% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) 76.5% (2025)
- Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) 86.9% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is potential labour force rate in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- Potential labour force rate in Sub-Saharan Africa was 6.13 in 2027, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest potential labour force rate recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 7.21 in 2020.
- What is the lowest potential labour force rate recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 5.63 in 2008.
- How does Sub-Saharan Africa rank for potential labour force rate?
- Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 21st out of 87 groups with data for 2027.
- Is potential labour force rate rising or falling in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 0.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Sub-Saharan Africa data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Potential labour force rate (ILO modelled estimates). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 24 observations, free to reuse under ILO Terms of Use (attribution required).
About this data
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 potential labour force rate is the potential labour force as a percent of the extended labour force. The potential labour force refers to persons not in employment who express an interest in this form of work but for whom existing conditions limit their active job search and/or their availability. For more information, refer to the ILO Modelled Estimates (ILOEST) database description.