Potential labour force rate in Western Africa
Western Africa: Potential labour force rate was 4.8 in 2027. ▼ Falling
Potential labour force rate in Western Africa, 2004–2027
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
Western Africa recorded 4.8 for potential labour force rate in 2027.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.2% on the previous year and down 13.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, potential labour force rate in Western Africa peaked at 6.33 in 2020 and was at its lowest, 4.78, in 2024.
Western Africa ranks 34th of 87 groups on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 24 years of available data.
Potential labour force rate in Western Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 5.75 | — |
| 2005 | 5.7 | -0.9% |
| 2006 | 5.62 | -1.3% |
| 2007 | 5.59 | -0.5% |
| 2008 | 5.55 | -0.8% |
| 2009 | 5.5 | -0.8% |
| 2010 | 5.43 | -1.4% |
| 2011 | 5.37 | -1.1% |
| 2012 | 5.32 | -1.0% |
| 2013 | 5.2 | -2.1% |
| 2014 | 5.42 | +4.2% |
| 2015 | 5.7 | +5.3% |
| 2016 | 5.91 | +3.6% |
| 2017 | 5.55 | -6.1% |
| 2018 | 5.6 | +1.0% |
| 2019 | 5.55 | -0.8% |
| 2020 | 6.33 | +13.9% |
| 2021 | 5.79 | -8.4% |
| 2022 | 5.47 | -5.6% |
| 2023 | 4.8 | -12.2% |
| 2024 | 4.78 | -0.6% |
| 2025 | 4.79 | +0.2% |
| 2026 | 4.79 | +0.2% |
| 2027 | 4.8 | +0.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 5.62 | 5.5 | 5.75 | 6 |
| 2010s | 5.5 | 5.2 | 5.91 | 10 |
| 2020s | 5.19 | 4.78 | 6.33 | 8 |
More work & labour data for Western Africa
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 532,234 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.245 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate 0.6577 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 2.78 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.1926 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.2192 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 1.07 million 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 516,634 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 293,084 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 537,547 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is potential labour force rate in Western Africa?
- Potential labour force rate in Western Africa was 4.8 in 2027, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest potential labour force rate recorded in Western Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 6.33 in 2020.
- What is the lowest potential labour force rate recorded in Western Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.78 in 2024.
- How does Western Africa rank for potential labour force rate?
- Western Africa ranks 34th out of 87 groups with data for 2027.
- Is potential labour force rate rising or falling in Western Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 13.4%. 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 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.