Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Afghanistan
Afghanistan: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) was 5.7% in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Afghanistan, 2008–2021
Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
In 2021, unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Afghanistan stood at 5.7%.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 51.5% on the previous year and up 235.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Afghanistan peaked at 11.7% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 1.7%, in 2012.
Afghanistan ranks 87th of 187 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Afghanistan, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 2.5% | — |
| 2012 | 1.7% | -32.2% |
| 2014 | 7.9% | +367.8% |
| 2017 | 11.2% | +41.3% |
| 2020 | 11.7% | +4.7% |
| 2021 | 5.7% | -51.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 2.5% | 2.5% | 2.5% | 1 |
| 2010s | 6.9% | 1.7% | 11.2% | 3 |
| 2020s | 8.7% | 5.7% | 11.7% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Afghanistan
More work & labour data for Afghanistan
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.4637 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.4511 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.4755 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -0.088 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 2.67 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 25,498 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 36,430 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 65,039 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 65,177 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 130,217 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Afghanistan?
- Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Afghanistan was 5.7% in 2021, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Afghanistan?
- The highest recorded value was 11.7% in 2020.
- What is the lowest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Afghanistan?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.7% in 2012.
- How does Afghanistan rank for unemployment, total (% of total labor force)?
- Afghanistan ranks 87th out of 187 countries with data for 2021.
- Is unemployment, total (% of total labor force) rising or falling in Afghanistan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 235.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Afghanistan data come from?
- The figures come from Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (national estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment. Definitions of labor force and unemployment differ by country.