Employment-to-population ratio — all countries

Employment-to-population ratio — Western Africa

Employment-to-population ratio in Western Africa in 2025 — 71.55%. Since 1991, the indicator has fallen by 1.57 pp.

2025 71.55% −0.09 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 73.67%1995
Period minimum 68.58%2020

Trend over time

1991–2025 · % of population aged 15+

Employment-to-population ratio — Western Africa, 1991–20256870727419911995199920032007201120152019202320251991: 73.13%1992: 73.34%1993: 73.43%1994: 73.65%1995: 73.67%1996: 73.57%1997: 73.51%1998: 73.42%1999: 73.23%2000: 73.08%2001: 73.04%2002: 73.04%2003: 72.93%2004: 72.84%2005: 72.63%2006: 72.58%2007: 72.44%2008: 72.3%2009: 72.2%2010: 72.07%2011: 71.95%2012: 71.75%2013: 71.7%2014: 71.24%2015: 70.86%2016: 70.87%2017: 70.4%2018: 70.22%2019: 70.01%2020: 68.58%2021: 69.3%2022: 70.81%2023: 71.69%2024: 71.64%2025: 71.55%
Change over the period: −1.57 pp Annual average: -0.05 pp

Comparison, 2025

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Western Africa

Western Africa 71.55%
World 58.06%
Employment-to-population ratio — Western Africa, by year Western Africa All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 71.55 −0.09 pp
2024 71.64 −0.05 pp
2023 71.69 +0.88 pp
2022 70.81 +1.51 pp
2021 69.3 +0.72 pp
2020 68.58 −1.43 pp
2019 70.01 −0.2 pp
2018 70.22 −0.19 pp
2017 70.4 −0.46 pp
2016 70.87 +0.01 pp
2015 70.86 −0.38 pp
2014 71.24 −0.45 pp
2013 71.7 −0.05 pp
2012 71.75 −0.2 pp
2011 71.95 −0.12 pp
2010 72.07 −0.13 pp
2009 72.2 −0.1 pp
2008 72.3 −0.14 pp
2007 72.44 −0.14 pp
2006 72.58 −0.06 pp
2005 72.63 −0.21 pp
2004 72.84 −0.08 pp
2003 72.93 −0.11 pp
2002 73.04 −0 pp
2001 73.04 −0.04 pp
2000 73.08 −0.15 pp
1999 73.23 −0.19 pp
1998 73.42 −0.1 pp
1997 73.51 −0.05 pp
1996 73.57 −0.1 pp
1995 73.67 +0.02 pp
1994 73.65 +0.22 pp
1993 73.43 +0.09 pp
1992 73.34 +0.22 pp
1991 73.13

About the indicator

The ratio of the employed to the population aged 15 and over. Unlike the unemployment rate it does not depend on whether a person is looking for work, so it captures the actual involvement of the population in the economy better. Employment and unemployment together give the full picture: low unemployment alongside low employment means mass withdrawal from the labor force.

Source: ILOSTAT (ILO), license CC BY 4.0.