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

Samoa: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) was 5.0% in 2022. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2022)
5.0%
World rank
101st
of 187 countries
All-time high
60.2%
in 1976
All-time low
1.0%
in 2018
Years of data
10
1976–2022

Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Samoa, 1976–2022

02040601976199920221976: 60.21991: 2.12001: 52006: 1.32011: 5.72012: 8.82014: 8.72017: 9.42018: 12022: 5

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

Analysis

The most recent figure for unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Samoa is 5.0%, measured in 2022.

The figure is down 42.3% over ten years.

Over the whole period, unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Samoa peaked at 60.2% in 1976 and was at its lowest, 1.0%, in 2018.

That places Samoa 101st out of 187 countries with data for 2022, putting it 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 Samoa, year by year

Annual values for Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (national estimate) in Samoa, 1976 to 2022.
Year Value Change
1976 60.2%
1991 2.1% -96.5%
2001 5.0% +136.2%
2006 1.3% -73.9%
2011 5.7% +338.7%
2012 8.8% +54.2%
2014 8.7% -0.3%
2017 9.4% +7.8%
2018 1.0% -88.9%
2022 5.0% +383.1%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1970s 60.2% 60.2% 60.2% 1
1990s 2.1% 2.1% 2.1% 1
2000s 3.1% 1.3% 5.0% 2
2010s 6.7% 1.0% 9.4% 5
2020s 5.0% 5.0% 5.0% 1

Countries ranked near Samoa

  1. 98 Nicaragua 5.2% compare
  2. 99 Dominican Republic 5.2% compare
  3. 100 Naoero 5.1% compare
  4. 102 San Marino 4.9% compare
  5. 103 Croatia 4.9% compare
  6. 103 Kazakhstan 4.9% compare

See the full ranking of 220 places →

More work & labour data for Samoa

All data for Samoa →

Frequently asked questions

What is unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Samoa?
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Samoa was 5.0% in 2022, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
What is the highest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Samoa?
The highest recorded value was 60.2% in 1976.
What is the lowest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Samoa?
The lowest recorded value was 1.0% in 2018.
How does Samoa rank for unemployment, total (% of total labor force)?
Samoa ranks 101st out of 187 countries with data for 2022.
Is unemployment, total (% of total labor force) rising or falling in Samoa?
Over the last ten years it is down 42.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Samoa 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 Samoa. Statizoid, drawing on Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO). Retrieved 02 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/unemployment-total-percent-of-total-labor-force-national-estimate/samoa/

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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.