Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Arab World
Arab World: Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) was 19.0% in 2016. ▬ Flat
Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Arab World, 2005–2016
Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
In 2016, unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Arab World stood at 19.0%.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 3.5% on the previous year and down 1.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Arab World peaked at 21.6% in 2011 and was at its lowest, 16.8%, in 2007.
That places Arab World 1st out of 24 groups with data for 2016, putting it in the top 10%.
Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Arab World, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 20.2% | — |
| 2006 | 19.3% | -4.7% |
| 2007 | 16.8% | -12.7% |
| 2008 | 18.0% | +7.0% |
| 2009 | 19.4% | +8.0% |
| 2010 | 19.6% | +1.1% |
| 2011 | 21.6% | +9.9% |
| 2012 | 19.3% | -10.7% |
| 2014 | 19.6% | +1.8% |
| 2016 | 19.0% | -3.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 18.7% | 16.8% | 20.2% | 5 |
| 2010s | 19.8% | 19.0% | 21.6% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Arab World
- 1 Syrian Arab Republic 37.1% compare
- 2 Eswatini 36.6% compare
- 3 South Africa 34.4% compare
- 4 Palestine, State of 29.7% compare
More work & labour data for Arab World
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) 46.1% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) 20.4% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24, total (%) 25.1% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24, male (%) 39.3% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24, female (%) 10.0% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) 73.8% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages) 48.7% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) 19.0% (2025)
- Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) 30.4% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) 70.6% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Arab World?
- Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Arab World was 19.0% in 2016, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest unemployment, female (% of female labor force) recorded in Arab World?
- The highest recorded value was 21.6% in 2011.
- What is the lowest unemployment, female (% of female labor force) recorded in Arab World?
- The lowest recorded value was 16.8% in 2007.
- How does Arab World rank for unemployment, female (% of female labor force)?
- Arab World ranks 1st out of 24 groups with data for 2016.
- Is unemployment, female (% of female labor force) rising or falling in Arab World?
- Over the last ten years it is down 1.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Arab World data come from?
- The figures come from Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) (national estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment. Definitions of labor force and unemployment differ by country.