Unemployment rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in Malawi

Malawi: Unemployment rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) was 15.41 in 2024. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2024)
15.41
World rank
1st
of 78 countries
All-time high
18.66
in 2018
All-time low
0.907
in 2020
Years of data
7
2005–2024

Unemployment rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in Malawi, 2005–2024

051015202005201420242005: 0.9422011: 1.72013: 52017: 3.82018: 18.72020: 0.9072024: 15.4

Source: International Labour Organization.

Analysis

The most recent figure for unemployment rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) in Malawi is 15.41, measured in 2024.

The figure is up 209.5% over ten years.

Over the whole period, unemployment rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) in Malawi peaked at 18.66 in 2018 and was at its lowest, 0.907, in 2020.

Malawi ranks 1st of 78 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.

Unemployment rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in Malawi, year by year

Annual values for Unemployment rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) (15+) in Malawi, 2005 to 2024.
Year Value Change
2005 0.942
2011 1.74 +84.3%
2013 4.98 +186.8%
2017 3.77 -24.3%
2018 18.66 +394.9%
2020 0.907 -95.1%
2024 15.41 +1598.6%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 0.942 0.942 0.942 1
2010s 7.28 1.74 18.66 4
2020s 8.16 0.907 15.41 2

Countries ranked near Malawi

  1. 2 Armenia 13.35 compare
  2. 3 Uganda 12.34 compare
  3. 4 Zimbabwe 12.13 compare

See the full ranking of 78 places →

More work & labour data for Malawi

All data for Malawi →

Frequently asked questions

What is unemployment rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) in Malawi?
Unemployment rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) in Malawi was 15.41 in 2024, according to International Labour Organization.
What is the highest unemployment rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) recorded in Malawi?
The highest recorded value was 18.66 in 2018.
What is the lowest unemployment rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) recorded in Malawi?
The lowest recorded value was 0.907 in 2020.
How does Malawi rank for unemployment rate (previous ilo definition - icls13)?
Malawi ranks 1st out of 78 countries with data for 2024.
Is unemployment rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) rising or falling in Malawi?
Over the last ten years it is up 209.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Malawi data come from?
The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Unemployment rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) (15+). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Unemployment rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in Malawi. Statizoid, drawing on International Labour Organization. Retrieved 08 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/unemployment-rate-previous-ilo-definition-icls13-15/malawi/

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About this data

Indicator
Unemployment rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) (15+)
Source
International Labour Organization
Licence
ILO Terms of Use (attribution required)
Coverage
78 places, 1,367 data points, 1987–2025
Last refreshed

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 International Labour Migration Statistics (ILMS) database description.