Unemployment rate, by sex and age - 13th ICLS in Northern Africa and Western Asia
Northern Africa and Western Asia: Unemployment rate, by sex and age - 13th ICLS was 9.2% in 2025. ▼ Falling
Unemployment rate, by sex and age - 13th ICLS in Northern Africa and Western Asia, 2000–2025
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
Analysis
In 2025, unemployment rate, by sex and age - 13th icls in Northern Africa and Western Asia stood at 9.2%.
The figure is down 1.2% on the previous year and down 13.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment rate, by sex and age - 13th icls in Northern Africa and Western Asia peaked at 11.9% in 2002 and was at its lowest, 9.2%, in 2023.
That places Northern Africa and Western Asia 3rd out of 39 groups with data for 2025, putting it in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 26 years of available data.
Unemployment rate, by sex and age - 13th ICLS in Northern Africa and Western Asia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 11.2% | — |
| 2001 | 11.4% | +2.5% |
| 2002 | 11.9% | +3.7% |
| 2003 | 11.8% | -0.3% |
| 2004 | 11.1% | -6.1% |
| 2005 | 10.9% | -2.0% |
| 2006 | 10.2% | -6.0% |
| 2007 | 9.9% | -3.0% |
| 2008 | 9.9% | +0.0% |
| 2009 | 10.3% | +3.4% |
| 2010 | 9.9% | -3.5% |
| 2011 | 10.3% | +4.2% |
| 2012 | 10.5% | +1.6% |
| 2013 | 10.6% | +0.6% |
| 2014 | 10.6% | -0.1% |
| 2015 | 10.7% | +1.4% |
| 2016 | 10.6% | -1.2% |
| 2017 | 10.7% | +1.3% |
| 2018 | 10.3% | -3.5% |
| 2019 | 10.5% | +1.7% |
| 2020 | 11.3% | +7.1% |
| 2021 | 10.7% | -5.4% |
| 2022 | 9.5% | -11.0% |
| 2023 | 9.2% | -3.3% |
| 2024 | 9.3% | +2.0% |
| 2025 | 9.2% | -1.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 10.9% | 9.9% | 11.9% | 10 |
| 2010s | 10.5% | 9.9% | 10.7% | 10 |
| 2020s | 9.9% | 9.2% | 11.3% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Northern Africa and Western Asia
- 1 South Africa 32.3% compare
- 2 State of Palestine 31.4% compare
- 3 Botswana 24.4% compare
- 4 Guadeloupe 23.8% compare
- 5 French Guiana 23.2% compare
- 6 Caribbean 6.9% compare
- 6 Réunion 22.4% compare
- 6 Reunion 22.4% compare
More work & labour data for Northern Africa and Western Asia
- Manufacturing employment as a proportion of total employment - 13th 11.2% (2025)
- Level of national compliance with labour rights (freedom of) 5.07 (2024)
- Proportion of informal employment, by sector and sex - 13th ICLS 48.2% (2025)
- Proportion of adults (15 years and older) active in labor force with 64.2% (2024)
- Proportion of adults (15 years and older) out of labor force with an 43.1% (2024)
- [ILO] Proportion of unemployed persons receiving unemployment cash 2.6% (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment rate, by sex and age - 13th icls in Northern Africa and Western Asia?
- Unemployment rate, by sex and age - 13th icls in Northern Africa and Western Asia was 9.2% in 2025, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest unemployment rate, by sex and age - 13th icls recorded in Northern Africa and Western Asia?
- The highest recorded value was 11.9% in 2002.
- What is the lowest unemployment rate, by sex and age - 13th icls recorded in Northern Africa and Western Asia?
- The lowest recorded value was 9.2% in 2023.
- How does Northern Africa and Western Asia rank for unemployment rate, by sex and age - 13th icls?
- Northern Africa and Western Asia ranks 3rd out of 39 groups with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment rate, by sex and age - 13th icls rising or falling in Northern Africa and Western Asia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 13.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Northern Africa and Western Asia data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Unemployment rate, by sex and age - 13th ICLS (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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