Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) (national estimate) in Rwanda
Rwanda: Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) (national estimate) was 5.7% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Rwanda, 1989–2025
Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
Rwanda recorded 5.7% for unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in 2025.
The figure is down 57.0% on the previous year and up 358.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Rwanda peaked at 17.4% in 2021 and was at its lowest, 0.2%, in 1991.
That places Rwanda 96th out of 181 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) (national estimate) in Rwanda, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 0.6% | — |
| 1991 | 0.2% | -66.7% |
| 1996 | 0.4% | +75.5% |
| 2002 | 0.7% | +94.9% |
| 2012 | 4.0% | +491.1% |
| 2014 | 1.2% | -69.3% |
| 2017 | 12.6% | +917.1% |
| 2018 | 11.3% | -10.2% |
| 2019 | 12.1% | +6.3% |
| 2020 | 12.9% | +6.8% |
| 2021 | 17.4% | +35.2% |
| 2022 | 16.6% | -4.8% |
| 2023 | 14.3% | -13.7% |
| 2024 | 13.3% | -7.5% |
| 2025 | 5.7% | -57.0% |
Rwanda compared with similar countries
- Rwanda's 5.7% is above the median for low income countries, which is 5.7%, 1.0× the median. (14 countries reporting)
- Rwanda's 5.7% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 6.0%, 95% of the median. (32 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) (national estimate) in Rwanda changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | +917.1% | 1.2% | 12.6% |
| 2012 | +491.1% | 0.7% | 4.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 0.6% | 0.6% | 0.6% | 1 |
| 1990s | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.4% | 2 |
| 2000s | 0.7% | 0.7% | 0.7% | 1 |
| 2010s | 8.3% | 1.2% | 12.6% | 5 |
| 2020s | 13.4% | 5.7% | 17.4% | 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 unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Rwanda?
- Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Rwanda was 5.7% in 2025, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest unemployment, female (% of female labor force) recorded in Rwanda?
- The highest recorded value was 17.4% in 2021.
- What is the lowest unemployment, female (% of female labor force) recorded in Rwanda?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.2% in 1991.
- How does Rwanda rank for unemployment, female (% of female labor force)?
- Rwanda ranks 96th out of 181 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment, female (% of female labor force) rising or falling in Rwanda?
- Over the last ten years it is up 358.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Rwanda 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.