Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Zambia
Zambia: Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) was 5.2% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Zambia, 1986–2024
Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
Zambia recorded 5.2% for unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 9.0% on the previous year and down 16.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Zambia peaked at 18.9% in 1993 and was at its lowest, 4.3%, in 2017.
That places Zambia 84th out of 181 countries with data for 2024, 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, male (% of male labor force) in Zambia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 8.7% | — |
| 1990 | 14.1% | +61.5% |
| 1991 | 16.7% | +19.0% |
| 1993 | 18.9% | +12.8% |
| 1996 | 14.9% | -21.0% |
| 1998 | 13.0% | -12.8% |
| 2000 | 14.1% | +8.6% |
| 2008 | 8.1% | -42.3% |
| 2012 | 7.1% | -12.2% |
| 2015 | 6.2% | -12.9% |
| 2017 | 4.3% | -30.7% |
| 2018 | 5.0% | +15.6% |
| 2019 | 5.8% | +16.6% |
| 2020 | 5.6% | -4.1% |
| 2021 | 4.8% | -14.4% |
| 2022 | 5.7% | +20.3% |
| 2023 | 5.7% | -0.4% |
| 2024 | 5.2% | -9.0% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 5.2% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 3.8%, 1.4× the median. (39 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 5.2% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 4.4%, 1.2× the median. (32 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 8.7% | 8.7% | 8.7% | 1 |
| 1990s | 15.5% | 13.0% | 18.9% | 5 |
| 2000s | 11.1% | 8.1% | 14.1% | 2 |
| 2010s | 5.7% | 4.3% | 7.1% | 5 |
| 2020s | 5.4% | 4.8% | 5.7% | 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, male (% of male labor force) in Zambia?
- Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Zambia was 5.2% 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 Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 18.9% in 1993.
- What is the lowest unemployment, male (% of male labor force) recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.3% in 2017.
- How does Zambia rank for unemployment, male (% of male labor force)?
- Zambia ranks 84th out of 181 countries with data for 2024.
- Is unemployment, male (% of male labor force) rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 16.5%. 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, male (% of male 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.