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

Namibia: Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) was 21.1% in 2018. ▬ Flat

Latest (2018)
21.1%
Change on year
down 3.0%
World rank
5th
of 181 countries
All-time high
32.5%
in 2008
All-time low
14.7%
in 2012
Years of data
13
1991–2018

Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Namibia, 1991–2018

01020301991200420181991: 19.61994: 17.91997: 18.22000: 19.12001: 26.82004: 19.32008: 32.52010: 20.32012: 14.72013: 17.32014: 16.72016: 21.82018: 21.1

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

Analysis

Namibia recorded 21.1% for unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in 2018.

That represents a change of down 3.0% on the previous year and down 35.1% over ten years.

Over the whole period, unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Namibia peaked at 32.5% in 2008 and was at its lowest, 14.7%, in 2012.

Namibia ranks 5th of 181 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.

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

Annual values for Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) (national estimate) in Namibia, 1991 to 2018.
Year Value Change
1991 19.6%
1994 17.9% -8.5%
1997 18.2% +1.7%
2000 19.1% +4.9%
2001 26.8% +40.5%
2004 19.3% -28.0%
2008 32.5% +68.4%
2010 20.3% -37.5%
2012 14.7% -27.9%
2013 17.3% +18.3%
2014 16.7% -3.6%
2016 21.8% +30.3%
2018 21.1% -3.0%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 18.6% 17.9% 19.6% 3
2000s 24.5% 19.1% 32.5% 4
2010s 18.7% 14.7% 21.8% 6

Countries ranked near Namibia

  1. 2 South Africa 30.4% compare
  2. 3 Palestine, State of 28.5% compare
  3. 4 Botswana 22.5% compare
  4. 6 French Polynesia 21.1% compare
  5. 7 Curaçao 17.6% compare
  6. 8 Lesotho 16.2% compare

See the full ranking of 205 places →

More work & labour data for Namibia

All data for Namibia →

Frequently asked questions

What is unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Namibia?
Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Namibia was 21.1% in 2018, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
What is the highest unemployment, male (% of male labor force) recorded in Namibia?
The highest recorded value was 32.5% in 2008.
What is the lowest unemployment, male (% of male labor force) recorded in Namibia?
The lowest recorded value was 14.7% in 2012.
How does Namibia rank for unemployment, male (% of male labor force)?
Namibia ranks 5th out of 181 countries with data for 2018.
Is unemployment, male (% of male labor force) rising or falling in Namibia?
Over the last ten years it is down 35.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
Where does this Namibia 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 Namibia. Statizoid, drawing on Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO). Retrieved 10 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/unemployment-male-percent-of-male-labor-force-national-estimate/namibia/

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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.