Female unemployment — all countries

Female unemployment — Middle East & North Africa

Female unemployment in Middle East & North Africa in 2025 — 12.07%. Since 1991, the indicator has fallen by 0.54 pp.

2025 12.07% −0.22 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 14.22%2015
Period minimum 10.76%2008

Trend over time

1991–2025 · % of female labor force

Female unemployment — Middle East & North Africa, 1991–202510111213141519911995199920032007201120152019202320251991: 12.61%1992: 11.62%1993: 12.42%1994: 12.56%1995: 13.12%1996: 11.25%1997: 11.39%1998: 11.46%1999: 11.71%2000: 12.74%2001: 12.9%2002: 13.33%2003: 12.81%2004: 12.48%2005: 12.31%2006: 11.71%2007: 10.89%2008: 10.76%2009: 11.37%2010: 11.7%2011: 11.88%2012: 13.15%2013: 13.02%2014: 12.63%2015: 14.22%2016: 13.44%2017: 13.97%2018: 13.69%2019: 13.85%2020: 13.85%2021: 13.98%2022: 12.78%2023: 12.16%2024: 12.29%2025: 12.07%
Change over the period: −0.54 pp Annual average: -0.02 pp

Comparison, 2025

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Middle East & North Africa

Middle East & North Africa 12.07%
World 4.94%
Female unemployment — Middle East & North Africa, by year Middle East & North Africa All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 12.07 −0.22 pp
2024 12.29 +0.13 pp
2023 12.16 −0.63 pp
2022 12.78 −1.2 pp
2021 13.98 +0.14 pp
2020 13.85 −0.01 pp
2019 13.85 +0.16 pp
2018 13.69 −0.29 pp
2017 13.97 +0.53 pp
2016 13.44 −0.78 pp
2015 14.22 +1.59 pp
2014 12.63 −0.4 pp
2013 13.02 −0.12 pp
2012 13.15 +1.26 pp
2011 11.88 +0.18 pp
2010 11.7 +0.33 pp
2009 11.37 +0.61 pp
2008 10.76 −0.13 pp
2007 10.89 −0.82 pp
2006 11.71 −0.6 pp
2005 12.31 −0.17 pp
2004 12.48 −0.33 pp
2003 12.81 −0.52 pp
2002 13.33 +0.43 pp
2001 12.9 +0.16 pp
2000 12.74 +1.03 pp
1999 11.71 +0.25 pp
1998 11.46 +0.07 pp
1997 11.39 +0.14 pp
1996 11.25 −1.87 pp
1995 13.12 +0.56 pp
1994 12.56 +0.14 pp
1993 12.42 +0.8 pp
1992 11.62 −0.99 pp
1991 12.61

About the indicator

The share of the female labor force that is unemployed. The gap with male unemployment reflects both the structure of labor demand and the barriers women face in reaching employment. In some countries the indicator looks favorable only because many women are outside the labor force altogether — it should be read alongside female labor force participation.

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