Share of workers in vulnerable employment in Syria
Syria: Share of workers in vulnerable employment was 38.9% in 2025. ▼ Falling
Share of workers in vulnerable employment in Syria, 1991–2025
Source: International Labour Organization (ILOEST/ILOSTAT) and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of workers in vulnerable employment in Syria is 38.9%, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.1% on the previous year and up 2.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of workers in vulnerable employment in Syria peaked at 46.7% in 1991 and was at its lowest, 31.0%, in 2008.
That places Syria 69th out of 186 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 35 years of available data.
Share of workers in vulnerable employment in Syria, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 46.7% | — |
| 1992 | 46.5% | -0.5% |
| 1993 | 46.2% | -0.6% |
| 1994 | 45.8% | -0.8% |
| 1995 | 45.4% | -1.0% |
| 1996 | 44.6% | -1.7% |
| 1997 | 43.9% | -1.4% |
| 1998 | 43.1% | -1.8% |
| 1999 | 42.8% | -0.9% |
| 2000 | 42.5% | -0.6% |
| 2001 | 42.4% | -0.3% |
| 2002 | 41.2% | -2.9% |
| 2003 | 39.8% | -3.3% |
| 2004 | 38.4% | -3.6% |
| 2005 | 36.7% | -4.6% |
| 2006 | 35.0% | -4.5% |
| 2007 | 37.8% | +7.9% |
| 2008 | 31.0% | -17.8% |
| 2009 | 34.2% | +10.2% |
| 2010 | 32.6% | -4.7% |
| 2011 | 32.9% | +1.0% |
| 2012 | 33.9% | +3.0% |
| 2013 | 36.0% | +6.0% |
| 2014 | 37.5% | +4.3% |
| 2015 | 38.1% | +1.6% |
| 2016 | 38.7% | +1.7% |
| 2017 | 39.0% | +0.6% |
| 2018 | 39.1% | +0.2% |
| 2019 | 39.0% | -0.1% |
| 2020 | 39.5% | +1.3% |
| 2021 | 38.9% | -1.6% |
| 2022 | 39.1% | +0.6% |
| 2023 | 38.8% | -0.7% |
| 2024 | 38.8% | +0.0% |
| 2025 | 38.9% | +0.1% |
Syria compared with similar countries
- Syria's 38.9% is below the median for low income countries, which is 76.9%, 51% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Syria's 38.9% is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 19.4%, 2.0× the median. (23 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 45.0% | 42.8% | 46.7% | 9 |
| 2000s | 37.9% | 31.0% | 42.5% | 10 |
| 2010s | 36.7% | 32.6% | 39.1% | 10 |
| 2020s | 39.0% | 38.8% | 39.5% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Syria
More work & labour data for Syria
- Persons outside the labour force (ILO modelled estimates) 12,499 (2027)
- Labour force participation rate (ILO modelled estimates) 36.74 (2027)
- Labour force (ILO modelled estimates) 7,259 (2027)
- Unemployment rate (ILO modelled estimates) 13.9 (2027)
- Labour dependency ratio 3.36 (2027)
- Output per worker, GDP constant 2021 international $ at PPP 14,788 (2027)
- Output per worker, GDP constant 2015 US $ 2,364 (2027)
- Employment-to-population ratio (ILO modelled estimates) 31.63 (2027)
- Persons outside the labour force (ILO modelled estimates) (15+) 3.65 % change on previous year (2027)
- Labour force (ILO modelled estimates) (15+), annual growth rate 3.31 % change on previous year (2027)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of workers in vulnerable employment in Syria?
- Share of workers in vulnerable employment in Syria was 38.9% in 2025, according to International Labour Organization (ILOEST/ILOSTAT) and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of workers in vulnerable employment recorded in Syria?
- The highest recorded value was 46.7% in 1991.
- What is the lowest share of workers in vulnerable employment recorded in Syria?
- The lowest recorded value was 31.0% in 2008.
- How does Syria rank for share of workers in vulnerable employment?
- Syria ranks 69th out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is share of workers in vulnerable employment rising or falling in Syria?
- Over the last ten years it is up 2.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Syria data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization (ILOEST/ILOSTAT) and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of workers in vulnerable employment. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of employed population who are working as independent own-account workers (self-employed without staff), or contributing family workers (self-employed in a household business or farm).