Proportion of informal employment, by sector and sex - 13th ICLS in Northern Africa and Western Asia
Northern Africa and Western Asia: Proportion of informal employment, by sector and sex - 13th ICLS was 48.2% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Proportion of informal employment, by sector and sex - 13th ICLS in Northern Africa and Western Asia, 2004–2025
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
Analysis
The most recent figure for proportion of informal employment, by sector and sex - 13th icls in Northern Africa and Western Asia is 48.2%, measured in 2025.
The figure is up 0.2% on the previous year and up 3.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, proportion of informal employment, by sector and sex - 13th icls in Northern Africa and Western Asia peaked at 51.6% in 2004 and was at its lowest, 46.5%, in 2015.
That places Northern Africa and Western Asia 21st out of 36 groups with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
Proportion of informal employment, by sector and sex - 13th ICLS in Northern Africa and Western Asia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 51.6% | — |
| 2005 | 50.8% | -1.5% |
| 2006 | 50.3% | -1.0% |
| 2007 | 49.9% | -0.8% |
| 2008 | 48.9% | -2.0% |
| 2009 | 49.0% | +0.2% |
| 2010 | 49.1% | +0.2% |
| 2011 | 48.7% | -0.8% |
| 2012 | 47.3% | -2.9% |
| 2013 | 47.0% | -0.6% |
| 2014 | 46.9% | -0.2% |
| 2015 | 46.5% | -0.9% |
| 2016 | 46.8% | +0.7% |
| 2017 | 47.3% | +0.9% |
| 2018 | 47.8% | +1.2% |
| 2019 | 48.6% | +1.7% |
| 2020 | 48.3% | -0.8% |
| 2021 | 48.7% | +0.9% |
| 2022 | 48.2% | -1.0% |
| 2023 | 48.6% | +0.8% |
| 2024 | 48.1% | -1.0% |
| 2025 | 48.2% | +0.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 50.1% | 48.9% | 51.6% | 6 |
| 2010s | 47.6% | 46.5% | 49.1% | 10 |
| 2020s | 48.4% | 48.1% | 48.7% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Northern Africa and Western Asia
More work & labour data for Northern Africa and Western Asia
- Manufacturing employment as a proportion of total employment - 13th 11.2% (2025)
- Unemployment rate, by sex and age - 13th ICLS 9.2% (2025)
- Level of national compliance with labour rights (freedom of) 5.07 (2024)
- Proportion of adults (15 years and older) active in labor force with 64.2% (2024)
- Proportion of adults (15 years and older) out of labor force with an 43.1% (2024)
- [ILO] Proportion of unemployed persons receiving unemployment cash 2.6% (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is proportion of informal employment, by sector and sex - 13th icls in Northern Africa and Western Asia?
- Proportion of informal employment, by sector and sex - 13th icls in Northern Africa and Western Asia was 48.2% in 2025, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest proportion of informal employment, by sector and sex - 13th icls recorded in Northern Africa and Western Asia?
- The highest recorded value was 51.6% in 2004.
- What is the lowest proportion of informal employment, by sector and sex - 13th icls recorded in Northern Africa and Western Asia?
- The lowest recorded value was 46.5% in 2015.
- How does Northern Africa and Western Asia rank for proportion of informal employment, by sector and sex - 13th icls?
- Northern Africa and Western Asia ranks 21st out of 36 groups with data for 2025.
- Is proportion of informal employment, by sector and sex - 13th icls rising or falling in Northern Africa and Western Asia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 3.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Northern Africa and Western Asia data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Proportion of informal employment, by sector and sex - 13th ICLS (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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