SDG indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate (previous ILO definition) in Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa: SDG indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate (previous ILO definition) was 5.73 in 2027. ▬ Flat
SDG indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate (previous ILO definition) in Sub-Saharan Africa, 2000–2027
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
In 2027, sdg indicator 8.5.2: unemployment rate (previous ilo definition) in Sub-Saharan Africa stood at 5.73.
The figure is down 1.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, sdg indicator 8.5.2: unemployment rate (previous ilo definition) in Sub-Saharan Africa peaked at 6.76 in 2021 and was at its lowest, 5.31, in 2013.
Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 32nd of 87 groups on this measure, in the middle of the range.
SDG indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate (previous ILO definition) in Sub-Saharan Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 6.1 | — |
| 2001 | 6.01 | -1.5% |
| 2002 | 5.9 | -1.7% |
| 2003 | 5.84 | -1.1% |
| 2004 | 5.69 | -2.5% |
| 2005 | 5.59 | -1.7% |
| 2006 | 5.5 | -1.6% |
| 2007 | 5.46 | -0.7% |
| 2008 | 5.46 | -0.1% |
| 2009 | 5.58 | +2.2% |
| 2010 | 5.7 | +2.2% |
| 2011 | 5.61 | -1.5% |
| 2012 | 5.52 | -1.7% |
| 2013 | 5.31 | -3.8% |
| 2014 | 5.39 | +1.5% |
| 2015 | 5.58 | +3.5% |
| 2016 | 5.68 | +1.8% |
| 2017 | 5.83 | +2.6% |
| 2018 | 5.89 | +1.0% |
| 2019 | 6.06 | +2.9% |
| 2020 | 6.53 | +7.9% |
| 2021 | 6.76 | +3.4% |
| 2022 | 6.06 | -10.4% |
| 2023 | 5.77 | -4.7% |
| 2024 | 5.75 | -0.3% |
| 2025 | 5.75 | -0.1% |
| 2026 | 5.73 | -0.3% |
| 2027 | 5.73 | -0.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 5.71 | 5.46 | 6.1 | 10 |
| 2010s | 5.66 | 5.31 | 6.06 | 10 |
| 2020s | 6.01 | 5.73 | 6.76 | 8 |
Countries ranked near Sub-Saharan Africa
More work & labour data for Sub-Saharan Africa
- Labour force participation rate (ILO modelled estimates) 70.23 (2027)
- Labour force (ILO modelled estimates) 564,978 (2027)
- Persons outside the labour force (ILO modelled estimates) 239,462 (2027)
- Unemployment rate (ILO modelled estimates) 5.73 (2027)
- Labour dependency ratio 1.5 (2027)
- Labour force (ILO modelled estimates) (15+), annual growth rate 2.92 % change on previous year (2027)
- Output per worker, GDP constant 2021 international $ at PPP 11,723 (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)
- Output per worker, GDP constant 2015 US $ 4,279 (2027)
Frequently asked questions
- What is sdg indicator 8.5.2: unemployment rate (previous ilo definition) in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- Sdg indicator 8.5.2: unemployment rate (previous ilo definition) in Sub-Saharan Africa was 5.73 in 2027, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest sdg indicator 8.5.2: unemployment rate (previous ilo definition) recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 6.76 in 2021.
- What is the lowest sdg indicator 8.5.2: unemployment rate (previous ilo definition) recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 5.31 in 2013.
- How does Sub-Saharan Africa rank for sdg indicator 8.5.2: unemployment rate (previous ilo definition)?
- Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 32nd out of 87 groups with data for 2027.
- Is sdg indicator 8.5.2: unemployment rate (previous ilo definition) rising or falling in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 1.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Sub-Saharan Africa data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of SDG indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) (15+). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 28 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. For more information, refer to the Labour Market-related SDG Indicators (ILOSDG) database description.