Proportion of adults (15 years and older) out of labor force in Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa: Proportion of adults (15 years and older) out of labor force was 44.7% in 2024. ▲ Rising
Proportion of adults (15 years and older) out of labor force with an in Sub-Saharan Africa, 2011–2024
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for proportion of adults (15 years and older) out of labor force with an in Sub-Saharan Africa is 44.7%, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 5 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 27.2% on the previous year and up 82.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, proportion of adults (15 years and older) out of labor force with an in Sub-Saharan Africa peaked at 44.7% in 2024 and was at its lowest, 13.6%, in 2011.
That places Sub-Saharan Africa 30th out of 37 groups with data for 2024, putting it in the bottom quarter.
Proportion of adults (15 years and older) out of labor force in Sub-Saharan Africa, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 13.6% | — |
| 2014 | 24.4% | +80.1% |
| 2017 | 31.4% | +28.3% |
| 2021 | 35.1% | +11.9% |
| 2024 | 44.7% | +27.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 23.1% | 13.6% | 31.4% | 3 |
| 2020s | 39.9% | 35.1% | 44.7% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Sub-Saharan Africa
More work & labour data for Sub-Saharan Africa
- Persons outside the labour force (ILO modelled estimates) 239,462 (2027)
- Labour force participation rate (ILO modelled estimates) 70.23 (2027)
- Labour force (ILO modelled estimates) 564,978 (2027)
- Labour dependency ratio 1.5 (2027)
- Unemployment rate (ILO modelled estimates) 5.73 (2027)
- Output per worker, GDP constant 2021 international $ at PPP 11,723 (2027)
- Output per worker, GDP constant 2015 US $ 4,279 (2027)
- Employment-to-population ratio (ILO modelled estimates) 66.21 (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)
Frequently asked questions
- What is proportion of adults (15 years and older) out of labor force with an in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- Proportion of adults (15 years and older) out of labor force with an in Sub-Saharan Africa was 44.7% in 2024, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest proportion of adults (15 years and older) out of labor force with an recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 44.7% in 2024.
- What is the lowest proportion of adults (15 years and older) out of labor force with an recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 13.6% in 2011.
- How does Sub-Saharan Africa rank for proportion of adults (15 years and older) out of labor force with an?
- Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 30th out of 37 groups with data for 2024.
- Is proportion of adults (15 years and older) out of labor force with an rising or falling in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 82.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Sub-Saharan Africa data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Proportion of adults (15 years and older) out of labor force with an account at a financial institution or mobile-money-service provider (% of adults aged 15 years and older). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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