Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Malawi

Malawi: Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) was 12.9% in 2024. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2024)
12.9%
World rank
12th
of 181 countries
All-time high
12.9%
in 2024
All-time low
0.0%
in 1998
Years of data
10
1983–2024

Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Malawi, 1983–2024

0510151983200320241983: 4.91987: 2.21998: 02004: 3.52005: 1.12011: 1.72013: 4.12017: 3.12020: 0.7612024: 12.9

Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).

Analysis

The most recent figure for unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Malawi is 12.9%, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 10 years on record.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 215.6% over ten years.

Over the whole period, unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Malawi peaked at 12.9% in 2024 and was at its lowest, 0.0%, in 1998.

Malawi ranks 12th of 181 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Malawi, year by year

Annual values for Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) (national estimate) in Malawi, 1983 to 2024.
Year Value Change
1983 4.9%
1987 2.2% -56.0%
1998 0.0% -100.0%
2004 3.5%
2005 1.1% -67.7%
2011 1.7% +53.1%
2013 4.1% +139.4%
2017 3.1% -23.1%
2020 0.8% -75.8%
2024 12.9% +1597.5%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1980s 3.5% 2.2% 4.9% 2
1990s 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 1
2000s 2.3% 1.1% 3.5% 2
2010s 3.0% 1.7% 4.1% 3
2020s 6.8% 0.8% 12.9% 2

Countries ranked near Malawi

  1. 9 Puerto Rico 15.0% compare
  2. 10 Jordan 14.7% compare
  3. 11 Iraq 14.3% compare
  4. 13 Tunisia 12.8% compare
  5. 14 Guyana 12.8% compare
  6. 15 Yemen 12.3% compare

See the full ranking of 205 places →

More work & labour data for Malawi

All data for Malawi →

Frequently asked questions

What is unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Malawi?
Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Malawi was 12.9% in 2024, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
What is the highest unemployment, male (% of male labor force) recorded in Malawi?
The highest recorded value was 12.9% in 2024.
What is the lowest unemployment, male (% of male labor force) recorded in Malawi?
The lowest recorded value was 0.0% in 1998.
How does Malawi rank for unemployment, male (% of male labor force)?
Malawi ranks 12th out of 181 countries with data for 2024.
Is unemployment, male (% of male labor force) rising or falling in Malawi?
Over the last ten years it is up 215.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Malawi data come from?
The figures come from Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) (national estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Malawi. Statizoid, drawing on Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO). Retrieved 12 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/unemployment-male-percent-of-male-labor-force-national-estimate/malawi/

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About this data

Indicator
Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) (national estimate)
Source
Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
205 places, 5,415 data points, 1960–2025
Last refreshed

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.