Unemployment rate (ILO modelled estimates) in Nigeria
Nigeria: Unemployment rate (ILO modelled estimates) was 3.17 in 2027. ▬ Flat
Unemployment rate (ILO modelled estimates) in Nigeria, 1991–2027
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
Nigeria recorded 3.17 for unemployment rate (ilo modelled estimates) in 2027.
The figure is up 2.0% on the previous year and down 34.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment rate (ilo modelled estimates) in Nigeria peaked at 5.71 in 2020 and was at its lowest, 3.04, in 2024.
That places Nigeria 139th out of 188 countries with data for 2027, putting it in the middle of the range.
Unemployment rate (ILO modelled estimates) in Nigeria, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 3.83 | — |
| 1992 | 3.79 | -1.1% |
| 1993 | 4.02 | +6.1% |
| 1994 | 4.06 | +1.0% |
| 1995 | 4.15 | +2.2% |
| 1996 | 4.04 | -2.6% |
| 1997 | 3.96 | -2.0% |
| 1998 | 3.92 | -1.1% |
| 1999 | 3.99 | +1.6% |
| 2000 | 3.95 | -0.8% |
| 2001 | 3.9 | -1.3% |
| 2002 | 3.67 | -5.9% |
| 2003 | 3.64 | -0.9% |
| 2004 | 3.59 | -1.3% |
| 2005 | 3.73 | +3.8% |
| 2006 | 3.75 | +0.6% |
| 2007 | 3.79 | +1.2% |
| 2008 | 3.79 | -0.1% |
| 2009 | 3.76 | -0.8% |
| 2010 | 3.74 | -0.5% |
| 2011 | 3.77 | +0.7% |
| 2012 | 3.76 | -0.2% |
| 2013 | 3.71 | -1.3% |
| 2014 | 3.9 | +5.1% |
| 2015 | 4.13 | +6.0% |
| 2016 | 4.5 | +8.8% |
| 2017 | 4.83 | +7.4% |
| 2018 | 5.07 | +4.9% |
| 2019 | 5.21 | +2.7% |
| 2020 | 5.71 | +9.8% |
| 2021 | 5.4 | -5.4% |
| 2022 | 3.83 | -29.2% |
| 2023 | 3.07 | -19.7% |
| 2024 | 3.04 | -0.9% |
| 2025 | 3.06 | +0.6% |
| 2026 | 3.11 | +1.4% |
| 2027 | 3.17 | +2.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 3.97 | 3.79 | 4.15 | 9 |
| 2000s | 3.76 | 3.59 | 3.95 | 10 |
| 2010s | 4.26 | 3.71 | 5.21 | 10 |
| 2020s | 3.8 | 3.04 | 5.71 | 8 |
Countries ranked near Nigeria
More work & labour data for Nigeria
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.0306 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.0025 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.0591 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate 0.3624 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 2.71 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 287,130 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 123,508 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 237,227 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 239,521 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 476,748 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment rate (ilo modelled estimates) in Nigeria?
- Unemployment rate (ilo modelled estimates) in Nigeria was 3.17 in 2027, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest unemployment rate (ilo modelled estimates) recorded in Nigeria?
- The highest recorded value was 5.71 in 2020.
- What is the lowest unemployment rate (ilo modelled estimates) recorded in Nigeria?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.04 in 2024.
- How does Nigeria rank for unemployment rate (ilo modelled estimates)?
- Nigeria ranks 139th out of 188 countries with data for 2027.
- Is unemployment rate (ilo modelled estimates) rising or falling in Nigeria?
- Over the last ten years it is down 34.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Nigeria 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.