Unemployment rate in Pakistan
Pakistan: Unemployment rate was 5.4% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Unemployment rate in Pakistan, 1991–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2025, unemployment rate in Pakistan stood at 5.4%.
The figure is down 1.3% on the previous year and up 52.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment rate in Pakistan peaked at 6.3% in 2021 and was at its lowest, 0.4%, in 2007.
Pakistan ranks 87th of 186 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 0.6% | 0.6% | 0.6% | 9 |
| 2000s | 0.6% | 0.4% | 0.6% | 10 |
| 2010s | 2.8% | 0.7% | 4.8% | 10 |
| 2020s | 5.6% | 5.2% | 6.3% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Pakistan
More work & labour data for Pakistan
- Women can take the same jobs as men 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Criminal sanctions or compensation for workplace sexual harassment 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Legislation on sexual harassment in employment 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) 52.3% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24, total (%) 43.2% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24, male (%) 63.7% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) 80.1% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24, female (%) 21.7% (2025)
- Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) 30.0% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 24.0% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment rate in Pakistan?
- Unemployment rate in Pakistan was 5.4% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest unemployment rate recorded in Pakistan?
- The highest recorded value was 6.3% in 2021.
- What is the lowest unemployment rate recorded in Pakistan?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.4% in 2007.
- How does Pakistan rank for unemployment rate?
- Pakistan ranks 87th out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment rate rising or falling in Pakistan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 52.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Pakistan data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Unemployment rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the labor force without work, but actively looking for a job and available to start soon.