Unemployment rate (ILO modelled estimates) in Africa
Africa: Unemployment rate (ILO modelled estimates) was 6.21 in 2027. ▼ Falling
Unemployment rate (ILO modelled estimates) in Africa, 1991–2027
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
The most recent figure for unemployment rate (ilo modelled estimates) in Africa is 6.21, measured in 2027. That is the lowest value across all 37 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.6% on the previous year and down 7.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment rate (ilo modelled estimates) in Africa peaked at 7.82 in 1993 and was at its lowest, 6.21, in 2027.
That places Africa 28th out of 87 groups with data for 2027, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 37 years of available data.
Unemployment rate (ILO modelled estimates) in Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 7.42 | — |
| 1992 | 7.58 | +2.2% |
| 1993 | 7.82 | +3.2% |
| 1994 | 7.8 | -0.2% |
| 1995 | 7.81 | +0.1% |
| 1996 | 7.48 | -4.3% |
| 1997 | 7.34 | -1.8% |
| 1998 | 7.35 | +0.2% |
| 1999 | 7.5 | +2.0% |
| 2000 | 7.57 | +0.9% |
| 2001 | 7.39 | -2.3% |
| 2002 | 7.27 | -1.6% |
| 2003 | 7.22 | -0.7% |
| 2004 | 6.85 | -5.1% |
| 2005 | 6.74 | -1.6% |
| 2006 | 6.51 | -3.5% |
| 2007 | 6.39 | -1.7% |
| 2008 | 6.3 | -1.4% |
| 2009 | 6.35 | +0.7% |
| 2010 | 6.48 | +2.0% |
| 2011 | 6.7 | +3.4% |
| 2012 | 6.67 | -0.5% |
| 2013 | 6.46 | -3.2% |
| 2014 | 6.5 | +0.7% |
| 2015 | 6.65 | +2.2% |
| 2016 | 6.64 | -0.1% |
| 2017 | 6.73 | +1.4% |
| 2018 | 6.64 | -1.4% |
| 2019 | 6.66 | +0.4% |
| 2020 | 7.15 | +7.3% |
| 2021 | 7.25 | +1.5% |
| 2022 | 6.47 | -10.9% |
| 2023 | 6.25 | -3.3% |
| 2024 | 6.31 | +0.9% |
| 2025 | 6.29 | -0.4% |
| 2026 | 6.24 | -0.7% |
| 2027 | 6.21 | -0.6% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 7.57 | 7.34 | 7.82 | 9 |
| 2000s | 6.86 | 6.3 | 7.57 | 10 |
| 2010s | 6.61 | 6.46 | 6.73 | 10 |
| 2020s | 6.52 | 6.21 | 7.25 | 8 |
Countries ranked near Africa
- 25 South Sudan 12.37 compare
- 26 Guyana 12.21 compare
- 27 Cape Verde 12.15 compare
- 28 Bosnia and Herzegovina 11.95 compare
- 29 Algeria 11.86 compare
- 30 French Polynesia 11.61 compare
- 31 Rwanda 11.53 compare
More work & labour data for Africa
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate 0.4458 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.3661 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.3537 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.3781 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 2.68 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 1.89 million 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 3.81 million 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 1.49 million 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 1.04 million 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 1.93 million 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment rate (ilo modelled estimates) in Africa?
- Unemployment rate (ilo modelled estimates) in Africa was 6.21 in 2027, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest unemployment rate (ilo modelled estimates) recorded in Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 7.82 in 1993.
- What is the lowest unemployment rate (ilo modelled estimates) recorded in Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 6.21 in 2027.
- How does Africa rank for unemployment rate (ilo modelled estimates)?
- Africa ranks 28th out of 87 groups with data for 2027.
- Is unemployment rate (ilo modelled estimates) rising or falling in Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 7.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Africa data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Unemployment rate (ILO modelled estimates) (15+). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 37 observations, free to reuse under ILO Terms of Use (attribution required).
About this data
Imputed observations are not based on national data, are subject to high uncertainty and should not be used for country comparisons or rankings. This series is based on the 13th ICLS definitions. 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 ILO Modelled Estimates (ILOEST) database description.