Unemployment in Zambia
Zambia: Unemployment was 430.19 in 2024. ▼ Falling
Unemployment in Zambia, 2015–2024
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
Zambia recorded 430.19 for unemployment in 2024.
That represents a change of up 2.2% on the previous year and down 28.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment in Zambia peaked at 602.48 in 2015 and was at its lowest, 279.02, in 2018.
Zambia ranks 20th of 58 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Unemployment in Zambia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 602.48 | — |
| 2018 | 279.02 | -53.7% |
| 2019 | 320.07 | +14.7% |
| 2020 | 363.68 | +13.6% |
| 2021 | 313.86 | -13.7% |
| 2022 | 370.25 | +18.0% |
| 2023 | 420.94 | +13.7% |
| 2024 | 430.19 | +2.2% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 430.19 is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 354.49, 1.2× the median. (10 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 430.19 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 363.63, 1.2× the median. (11 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 400.52 | 279.02 | 602.48 | 3 |
| 2020s | 379.78 | 313.86 | 430.19 | 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 in Zambia?
- Unemployment in Zambia was 430.19 in 2024, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest unemployment recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 602.48 in 2015.
- What is the lowest unemployment recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 279.02 in 2018.
- How does Zambia rank for unemployment?
- Zambia ranks 20th out of 58 countries with data for 2024.
- Is unemployment rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 28.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Zambia data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Unemployment (previous ILO definition - ICLS13). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
With the aim of promoting international comparability, statistics presented on ILOSTAT are based on standard international definitions wherever feasible and may differ from official national figures. This series is based on the 13th ICLS definitions. For time series comparability, it includes countries that have implemented the 19th ICLS standards, for which data are also available in the Work Statistics -- 19th ICLS (WORK) database. The unemployed comprise all persons of working age who were: a) without work during the reference period, i.e. were not in paid employment or self-employment; b) currently available for work, i.e. were available for paid employment or self-employment during the reference period; and c) seeking work, i.e. had taken specific steps in a specified recent period to seek paid employment or self-employment. The term disability, as defined in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), is used as an umbrella term, covering impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. For measurement purposes, a person with disability is defined as a person who is limited in the kind or amount of activities that he or she can do because of ongoing difficulties due to a long-term physical condition, mental condition or health problem. For more information, refer to the Disability Labour Market Indicators (DLMI) database description.