Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Zambia
Zambia: Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) was 6.2% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Zambia, 1986–2024
Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
Zambia recorded 6.2% for unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 3.2% on the previous year and down 66.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Zambia peaked at 23.0% in 1991 and was at its lowest, 4.8%, in 2017.
Zambia ranks 90th of 181 countries on this measure, 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) in Zambia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 17.8% | — |
| 1990 | 16.7% | -5.9% |
| 1991 | 23.0% | +37.4% |
| 1993 | 20.6% | -10.3% |
| 1996 | 15.9% | -22.9% |
| 1998 | 12.0% | -24.5% |
| 2000 | 11.3% | -5.7% |
| 2008 | 7.7% | -31.9% |
| 2012 | 8.6% | +11.9% |
| 2015 | 18.8% | +117.5% |
| 2017 | 4.8% | -74.6% |
| 2018 | 5.1% | +6.6% |
| 2019 | 5.2% | +2.7% |
| 2020 | 6.5% | +25.2% |
| 2021 | 5.7% | -12.9% |
| 2022 | 6.3% | +10.4% |
| 2023 | 6.0% | -4.1% |
| 2024 | 6.2% | +3.2% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 6.2% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 6.2%, 1.0× the median. (39 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 6.2% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 6.5%, 96% of the median. (32 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 17.8% | 17.8% | 17.8% | 1 |
| 1990s | 17.7% | 12.0% | 23.0% | 5 |
| 2000s | 9.5% | 7.7% | 11.3% | 2 |
| 2010s | 8.5% | 4.8% | 18.8% | 5 |
| 2020s | 6.2% | 5.7% | 6.5% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
More work & labour data for Zambia
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.5254 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.5224 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.5281 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate 0.7611 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 3.24 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 25,577 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 15,424 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 32,895 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 31,579 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 64,474 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Zambia?
- Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Zambia was 6.2% in 2024, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest unemployment, female (% of female labor force) recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 23.0% in 1991.
- What is the lowest unemployment, female (% of female labor force) recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.8% in 2017.
- How does Zambia rank for unemployment, female (% of female labor force)?
- Zambia ranks 90th out of 181 countries with data for 2024.
- Is unemployment, female (% of female labor force) rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 66.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zambia 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.