Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Myanmar

Myanmar: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) was 1.5% in 2020. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2020)
1.5%
Change on year
up 262.7%
World rank
177th
of 187 countries
All-time high
6.0%
in 1990
All-time low
0.2%
in 1988
Years of data
10
1985–2020

Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Myanmar, 1985–2020

02461985200220201985: 2.81986: 2.21988: 0.2151990: 62014: 3.92015: 0.7662017: 1.42018: 0.7672019: 0.4072020: 1.5

Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).

Analysis

In 2020, unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Myanmar stood at 1.5%.

That represents a change of up 262.7% on the previous year and down 61.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Myanmar peaked at 6.0% in 1990 and was at its lowest, 0.2%, in 1988.

Myanmar ranks 177th of 187 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Myanmar, year by year

Annual values for Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (national estimate) in Myanmar, 1985 to 2020.
Year Value Change
1985 2.8%
1986 2.2% -22.8%
1988 0.2% -90.1%
1990 6.0% +2690.7%
2014 3.9% -35.5%
2015 0.8% -80.2%
2017 1.4% +77.0%
2018 0.8% -43.4%
2019 0.4% -46.9%
2020 1.5% +262.7%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1980s 1.7% 0.2% 2.8% 3
1990s 6.0% 6.0% 6.0% 1
2010s 1.4% 0.4% 3.9% 5
2020s 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 1

Countries ranked near Myanmar

  1. 174 Tonga 1.7% compare
  2. 175 Timor-Leste 1.5% compare
  3. 176 Viet Nam 1.5% compare
  4. 178 Vanuatu 1.4% compare
  5. 179 Republic of Moldova 1.3% compare
  6. 180 Lao People's Democratic Republic 1.2% compare

See the full ranking of 220 places →

More work & labour data for Myanmar

All data for Myanmar →

Frequently asked questions

What is unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Myanmar?
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Myanmar was 1.5% in 2020, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
What is the highest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Myanmar?
The highest recorded value was 6.0% in 1990.
What is the lowest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Myanmar?
The lowest recorded value was 0.2% in 1988.
How does Myanmar rank for unemployment, total (% of total labor force)?
Myanmar ranks 177th out of 187 countries with data for 2020.
Is unemployment, total (% of total labor force) rising or falling in Myanmar?
Over the last ten years it is down 61.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Myanmar 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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Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Myanmar. Statizoid, drawing on Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO). Retrieved 05 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/unemployment-total-percent-of-total-labor-force-national-estimate/myanmar/

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About this data

Indicator
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (national estimate)
Source
Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
220 places, 6,054 data points, 1960–2025
Last refreshed

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.