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.
Unemployment rate in Pakistan, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 0.6% | — |
| 1992 | 0.6% | -1.5% |
| 1993 | 0.6% | +1.5% |
| 1994 | 0.6% | +0.8% |
| 1995 | 0.6% | +1.7% |
| 1996 | 0.6% | -1.8% |
| 1997 | 0.6% | +1.8% |
| 1998 | 0.6% | +1.5% |
| 1999 | 0.6% | +0.8% |
| 2000 | 0.6% | -1.8% |
| 2001 | 0.6% | -0.5% |
| 2002 | 0.6% | +0.7% |
| 2003 | 0.6% | -0.5% |
| 2004 | 0.6% | -2.3% |
| 2005 | 0.6% | -2.5% |
| 2006 | 0.6% | -0.2% |
| 2007 | 0.4% | -31.6% |
| 2008 | 0.4% | +6.3% |
| 2009 | 0.5% | +26.5% |
| 2010 | 0.7% | +22.1% |
| 2011 | 0.8% | +21.9% |
| 2012 | 3.7% | +360.7% |
| 2013 | 3.0% | -19.4% |
| 2014 | 1.8% | -38.2% |
| 2015 | 3.6% | +95.2% |
| 2016 | 2.3% | -35.9% |
| 2017 | 3.2% | +40.2% |
| 2018 | 4.1% | +27.4% |
| 2019 | 4.8% | +18.3% |
| 2020 | 6.0% | +24.1% |
| 2021 | 6.3% | +5.7% |
| 2022 | 5.3% | -16.5% |
| 2023 | 5.2% | -1.0% |
| 2024 | 5.5% | +4.9% |
| 2025 | 5.4% | -1.3% |
Pakistan compared with similar countries
- Pakistan's 5.4% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 5.1%, 1.1× the median. (46 countries reporting)
- Pakistan's 5.4% is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 9.0%, 60% of the median. (23 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Unemployment rate in Pakistan changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | +360.7% | 0.8% | 3.7% |
| 2015 | +95.2% | 1.8% | 3.6% |
| 2017 | +40.2% | 2.3% | 3.2% |
| 2014 | -38.2% | 3.0% | 1.8% |
| 2016 | -35.9% | 3.6% | 2.3% |
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
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.1692 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.1658 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.1724 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -0.4553 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 2.11 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 160,228 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 146,712 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 259,090 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 251,911 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 511,001 1000 No (2100)
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.