Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Pakistan
Pakistan: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) was 7.0% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Pakistan, 1971–2025
Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
Pakistan recorded 7.0% for unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in 2025.
That represents a change of up 95.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Pakistan peaked at 7.8% in 2002 and was at its lowest, 0.4%, in 2007.
Pakistan ranks 66th of 187 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, total (% of total labor force) in Pakistan, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 2.1% | — |
| 1972 | 2.2% | +3.2% |
| 1973 | 2.0% | -7.1% |
| 1974 | 1.7% | -16.7% |
| 1975 | 1.7% | +1.9% |
| 1976 | 1.9% | +12.0% |
| 1977 | 1.9% | +0.0% |
| 1978 | 4.2% | +120.2% |
| 1979 | 4.1% | -1.6% |
| 1980 | 4.0% | -2.7% |
| 1981 | 3.8% | -4.7% |
| 1982 | 3.8% | +0.2% |
| 1983 | 4.3% | +12.4% |
| 1984 | 4.2% | -3.2% |
| 1985 | 4.0% | -4.5% |
| 1986 | 4.0% | -0.1% |
| 1987 | 3.0% | -23.2% |
| 1988 | 2.2% | -29.1% |
| 1989 | 2.0% | -6.1% |
| 1990 | 2.0% | -2.9% |
| 1991 | 6.3% | +218.6% |
| 1992 | 5.8% | -6.8% |
| 1993 | 4.7% | -19.1% |
| 1994 | 4.8% | +2.3% |
| 1995 | 5.0% | +3.9% |
| 1996 | 4.8% | -4.8% |
| 1997 | 5.8% | +21.4% |
| 1998 | 5.7% | -1.9% |
| 1999 | 5.4% | -6.2% |
| 2000 | 7.2% | +33.8% |
| 2001 | 6.9% | -3.9% |
| 2002 | 7.8% | +13.7% |
| 2003 | 7.5% | -4.3% |
| 2004 | 7.4% | -1.2% |
| 2005 | 7.0% | -4.7% |
| 2006 | 0.6% | -91.7% |
| 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% |
| 2018 | 4.1% | +78.7% |
| 2019 | 4.8% | +18.3% |
| 2020 | 6.7% | +39.5% |
| 2021 | 6.3% | -6.0% |
| 2025 | 7.0% | +9.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 2.4% | 1.7% | 4.2% | 9 |
| 1980s | 3.5% | 2.0% | 4.3% | 10 |
| 1990s | 5.0% | 2.0% | 6.3% | 10 |
| 2000s | 4.6% | 0.4% | 7.8% | 10 |
| 2010s | 2.7% | 0.7% | 4.8% | 9 |
| 2020s | 6.7% | 6.3% | 7.0% | 3 |
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, total (% of total labor force) in Pakistan?
- Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Pakistan was 7.0% in 2025, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Pakistan?
- The highest recorded value was 7.8% in 2002.
- What is the lowest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Pakistan?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.4% in 2007.
- How does Pakistan rank for unemployment, total (% of total labor force)?
- Pakistan ranks 66th out of 187 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment, total (% of total labor force) rising or falling in Pakistan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 95.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Pakistan 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.