Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Arab World
Arab World: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) was 9.7% in 2016. ▬ Flat
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Arab World, 2005–2016
Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
Arab World recorded 9.7% for unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in 2016.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 10.7% on the previous year and down 6.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Arab World peaked at 12.1% in 2011 and was at its lowest, 9.4%, in 2010.
Arab World ranks 2nd of 33 groups on this measure, in the top 10%.
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Arab World, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 11.3% | — |
| 2006 | 10.4% | -8.6% |
| 2007 | 9.8% | -5.8% |
| 2008 | 9.8% | +0.5% |
| 2009 | 9.6% | -2.3% |
| 2010 | 9.4% | -2.2% |
| 2011 | 12.1% | +28.7% |
| 2012 | 10.7% | -11.3% |
| 2014 | 10.8% | +1.3% |
| 2016 | 9.7% | -10.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 10.2% | 9.6% | 11.3% | 5 |
| 2010s | 10.5% | 9.4% | 12.1% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Arab World
- 1 Eswatini 34.3% compare
- 2 South Africa 32.3% compare
- 3 Palestine, State of 28.7% compare
- 4 Botswana 24.4% compare
- 5 French Polynesia 21.8% compare
More work & labour data for Arab World
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) 46.1% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) 20.4% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24, total (%) 25.1% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24, male (%) 39.3% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24, female (%) 10.0% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) 73.8% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages) 48.7% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) 19.0% (2025)
- Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) 30.4% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) 70.6% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Arab World?
- Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Arab World was 9.7% in 2016, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Arab World?
- The highest recorded value was 12.1% in 2011.
- What is the lowest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Arab World?
- The lowest recorded value was 9.4% in 2010.
- How does Arab World rank for unemployment, total (% of total labor force)?
- Arab World ranks 2nd out of 33 groups with data for 2016.
- Is unemployment, total (% of total labor force) rising or falling in Arab World?
- Over the last ten years it is down 6.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Arab World 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.