Unemployment rate (ILO modelled estimates) in Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa: Unemployment rate (ILO modelled estimates) was 5.73 in 2027. ▬ Flat
Unemployment rate (ILO modelled estimates) in Sub-Saharan Africa, 1991–2027
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
In 2027, unemployment rate (ilo modelled estimates) in Sub-Saharan Africa stood at 5.73.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 1.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment rate (ilo modelled estimates) in Sub-Saharan Africa peaked at 6.76 in 2021 and was at its lowest, 5.31, in 2013.
Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 32nd of 87 groups on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Unemployment rate (ILO modelled estimates) in Sub-Saharan Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 6.18 | — |
| 1992 | 6.28 | +1.6% |
| 1993 | 6.33 | +0.8% |
| 1994 | 6.26 | -1.2% |
| 1995 | 6.11 | -2.4% |
| 1996 | 6.02 | -1.4% |
| 1997 | 5.99 | -0.5% |
| 1998 | 6.01 | +0.5% |
| 1999 | 6.12 | +1.8% |
| 2000 | 6.1 | -0.4% |
| 2001 | 6.01 | -1.5% |
| 2002 | 5.9 | -1.7% |
| 2003 | 5.84 | -1.1% |
| 2004 | 5.69 | -2.5% |
| 2005 | 5.59 | -1.7% |
| 2006 | 5.5 | -1.6% |
| 2007 | 5.46 | -0.7% |
| 2008 | 5.46 | -0.1% |
| 2009 | 5.58 | +2.2% |
| 2010 | 5.7 | +2.2% |
| 2011 | 5.61 | -1.5% |
| 2012 | 5.52 | -1.7% |
| 2013 | 5.31 | -3.8% |
| 2014 | 5.39 | +1.5% |
| 2015 | 5.58 | +3.5% |
| 2016 | 5.68 | +1.8% |
| 2017 | 5.83 | +2.6% |
| 2018 | 5.89 | +1.0% |
| 2019 | 6.06 | +2.9% |
| 2020 | 6.53 | +7.9% |
| 2021 | 6.76 | +3.4% |
| 2022 | 6.06 | -10.4% |
| 2023 | 5.77 | -4.7% |
| 2024 | 5.75 | -0.3% |
| 2025 | 5.75 | -0.1% |
| 2026 | 5.73 | -0.3% |
| 2027 | 5.73 | -0.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 6.14 | 5.99 | 6.33 | 9 |
| 2000s | 5.71 | 5.46 | 6.1 | 10 |
| 2010s | 5.66 | 5.31 | 6.06 | 10 |
| 2020s | 6.01 | 5.73 | 6.76 | 8 |
Countries ranked near Sub-Saharan Africa
- 29 Algeria 11.86 compare
- 30 French Polynesia 11.61 compare
- 31 Rwanda 11.53 compare
- 32 United States Virgin Islands 11.45 compare
- 33 Albania 11.36 compare
- 34 Lebanon 10.98 compare
- 35 New Caledonia 10.51 compare
More work & labour data for Sub-Saharan Africa
- Labour force participation rate (ILO modelled estimates) 70.23 (2027)
- Labour force (ILO modelled estimates) 564,978 (2027)
- Persons outside the labour force (ILO modelled estimates) 239,462 (2027)
- Output per worker, GDP constant 2021 international $ at PPP 11,723 (2027)
- Labour dependency ratio 1.5 (2027)
- Labour force (ILO modelled estimates) (15+), annual growth rate 2.92 % change on previous year (2027)
- Employment-to-population ratio (ILO modelled estimates) 66.21 (2027)
- Persons outside the labour force (ILO modelled estimates) (15+) 3.04 % change on previous year (2027)
- Output per worker, GDP constant 2015 US $ 4,279 (2027)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) 65.2% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment rate (ilo modelled estimates) in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- Unemployment rate (ilo modelled estimates) in Sub-Saharan Africa was 5.73 in 2027, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest unemployment rate (ilo modelled estimates) recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 6.76 in 2021.
- What is the lowest unemployment rate (ilo modelled estimates) recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 5.31 in 2013.
- How does Sub-Saharan Africa rank for unemployment rate (ilo modelled estimates)?
- Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 32nd out of 87 groups with data for 2027.
- Is unemployment rate (ilo modelled estimates) rising or falling in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 1.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Sub-Saharan 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.