Unemployment rate in Zambia
Zambia: Unemployment rate was 12.89 in 2024. ▲ Rising
Unemployment rate in Zambia, 2018–2024
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
The most recent figure for unemployment rate in Zambia is 12.89, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 7.8% on the previous year and up 18.7% over ten years.
Zambia ranks 5th of 41 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
Unemployment rate in Zambia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 10.86 | — |
| 2019 | 12.51 | +15.3% |
| 2020 | 13.77 | +10.0% |
| 2021 | 12.47 | -9.4% |
| 2022 | 12.64 | +1.3% |
| 2023 | 11.96 | -5.4% |
| 2024 | 12.89 | +7.8% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 12.89 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 12.89, 1.0× the median. (5 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 11.68 | 10.86 | 12.51 | 2 |
| 2020s | 12.75 | 11.96 | 13.77 | 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 rate in Zambia?
- Unemployment rate in Zambia was 12.89 in 2024, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest unemployment rate recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 13.77 in 2020.
- What is the lowest unemployment rate recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 10.86 in 2018.
- How does Zambia rank for unemployment rate?
- Zambia ranks 5th out of 41 countries with data for 2024.
- Is unemployment rate rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 18.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Zambia data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Unemployment rate (current ILO definition - ICLS19). 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 includes only countries for which the 19th ICLS definitions are applied. The unemployment rate conveys the number of persons who are unemployed as a percent of the labour force (i.e., the employed plus the unemployed). 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. For more information, refer to the Work Statistics -- 19th ICLS (WORK) database description.