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

Yemen: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) was 13.5% in 2014. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2014)
13.5%
World rank
16th
of 187 countries
All-time high
57.8%
in 1977
All-time low
8.3%
in 1994
Years of data
18
1977–2014

Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Yemen, 1977–2014

1020304050601977199520141977: 57.81978: 55.41979: 54.61980: 551981: 52.41982: 52.11983: 53.91984: 56.71994: 8.31999: 11.52004: 16.22005: 16.12006: 15.72007: 15.32008: 152009: 14.62010: 17.82014: 13.5

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

Analysis

The most recent figure for unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Yemen is 13.5%, measured in 2014.

The figure is down 17.0% over ten years.

Over the whole period, unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Yemen peaked at 57.8% in 1977 and was at its lowest, 8.3%, in 1994.

That places Yemen 16th out of 187 countries with data for 2014, putting it in the top 10%.

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

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

Annual values for Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (national estimate) in Yemen, 1977 to 2014.
Year Value Change
1977 57.8%
1978 55.4% -4.1%
1979 54.6% -1.5%
1980 55.0% +0.8%
1981 52.4% -4.8%
1982 52.1% -0.5%
1983 53.9% +3.4%
1984 56.7% +5.2%
1994 8.3% -85.3%
1999 11.5% +37.5%
2004 16.2% +41.6%
2005 16.1% -1.1%
2006 15.7% -2.2%
2007 15.3% -2.3%
2008 15.0% -2.4%
2009 14.6% -2.3%
2010 17.8% +21.8%
2014 13.5% -24.4%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1970s 55.9% 54.6% 57.8% 3
1980s 54.0% 52.1% 56.7% 5
1990s 9.9% 8.3% 11.5% 2
2000s 15.5% 14.6% 16.2% 6
2010s 15.6% 13.5% 17.8% 2

Countries ranked near Yemen

  1. 13 Syrian Arab Republic 14.9% compare
  2. 14 Guyana 14.7% compare
  3. 15 Haiti 14.1% compare
  4. 17 Zimbabwe 12.1% compare
  5. 18 Morocco 11.8% compare
  6. 19 Algeria 11.7% compare

See the full ranking of 220 places →

More work & labour data for Yemen

All data for Yemen →

Frequently asked questions

What is unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Yemen?
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Yemen was 13.5% in 2014, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
What is the highest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Yemen?
The highest recorded value was 57.8% in 1977.
What is the lowest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Yemen?
The lowest recorded value was 8.3% in 1994.
How does Yemen rank for unemployment, total (% of total labor force)?
Yemen ranks 16th out of 187 countries with data for 2014.
Is unemployment, total (% of total labor force) rising or falling in Yemen?
Over the last ten years it is down 17.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Yemen 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 Yemen. Statizoid, drawing on Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO). Retrieved 09 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/unemployment-total-percent-of-total-labor-force-national-estimate/yemen-rep/

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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.