SDG indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate in Rwanda
Rwanda: SDG indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate was 12.42 in 2025. ▼ Falling
SDG indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate in Rwanda, 2017–2025
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
Rwanda recorded 12.42 for sdg indicator 8.5.2: unemployment rate in 2025. That is the lowest value across all 9 years on record.
The figure is down 6.5% on the previous year and down 28.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, sdg indicator 8.5.2: unemployment rate in Rwanda peaked at 21.15 in 2021 and was at its lowest, 12.42, in 2025.
Rwanda ranks 6th of 41 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
SDG indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate in Rwanda, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 17.36 | — |
| 2018 | 15.11 | -12.9% |
| 2019 | 15.3 | +1.3% |
| 2020 | 16.54 | +8.1% |
| 2021 | 21.15 | +27.9% |
| 2022 | 20.62 | -2.5% |
| 2023 | 17.28 | -16.2% |
| 2024 | 13.28 | -23.1% |
| 2025 | 12.42 | -6.5% |
Rwanda compared with similar countries
- Rwanda's 12.42 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 12.89, 96% of the median. (5 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 15.92 | 15.11 | 17.36 | 3 |
| 2020s | 16.88 | 12.42 | 21.15 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Rwanda
More work & labour data for Rwanda
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.267 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.2752 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.2591 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate 0.3518 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 3.32 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 6,483 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 15,403 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 16,639 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 16,140 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 32,779 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is sdg indicator 8.5.2: unemployment rate in Rwanda?
- Sdg indicator 8.5.2: unemployment rate in Rwanda was 12.42 in 2025, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest sdg indicator 8.5.2: unemployment rate recorded in Rwanda?
- The highest recorded value was 21.15 in 2021.
- What is the lowest sdg indicator 8.5.2: unemployment rate recorded in Rwanda?
- The lowest recorded value was 12.42 in 2025.
- How does Rwanda rank for sdg indicator 8.5.2: unemployment rate?
- Rwanda ranks 6th out of 41 countries with data for 2025.
- Is sdg indicator 8.5.2: unemployment rate rising or falling in Rwanda?
- Over the last ten years it is down 28.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Rwanda data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of SDG indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate (current ILO definition - ICLS19). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 9 observations, free to reuse under ILO Terms of Use (attribution required).
About this data
Data may differ from nationally reported figures and the Global SDG Indicators Database due to differences in sources and/or reference years. The unemployment rate conveys the number of persons who are unemployed as a percent of the labour force (i.e., the employed plus the unemployed). The unemployed comprise all persons of working age who were: a) without work during the reference period, i.e. were not in paid employment or self-employment; b) currently available for work, i.e. were available for paid employment or self-employment during the reference period; and c) seeking work, i.e. had taken specific steps in a specified recent period to seek paid employment or self-employment. The term disability, as defined in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), is used as an umbrella term, covering impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. For measurement purposes, a person with disability is defined as a person who is limited in the kind or amount of activities that he or she can do because of ongoing difficulties due to a long-term physical condition, mental condition or health problem. For more information, refer to the Labour Market-related SDG Indicators (ILOSDG) database description.