Female unemployment — all countries

Female unemployment — Sub-Saharan Africa

Female unemployment in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2025 — 6.25%. Since 1991, the indicator has fallen by 0.15 pp.

2025 6.25% −0.13 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 7.6%2021
Period minimum 5.93%2013

Trend over time

1991–2025 · % of female labor force

Female unemployment — Sub-Saharan Africa, 1991–20255.566.577.5819911995199920032007201120152019202320251991: 6.4%1992: 6.53%1993: 6.56%1994: 6.5%1995: 6.43%1996: 6.41%1997: 6.42%1998: 6.48%1999: 6.62%2000: 6.59%2001: 6.5%2002: 6.45%2003: 6.45%2004: 6.31%2005: 6.21%2006: 6.16%2007: 6.12%2008: 6.12%2009: 6.17%2010: 6.39%2011: 6.4%2012: 6.22%2013: 5.93%2014: 5.95%2015: 6.11%2016: 6.19%2017: 6.31%2018: 6.36%2019: 6.52%2020: 7.13%2021: 7.6%2022: 6.96%2023: 6.49%2024: 6.38%2025: 6.25%
Change over the period: −0.15 pp Annual average: 0 pp

Comparison, 2025

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa 6.25%
World 4.94%
Female unemployment — Sub-Saharan Africa, by year Sub-Saharan Africa All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 6.25 −0.13 pp
2024 6.38 −0.11 pp
2023 6.49 −0.47 pp
2022 6.96 −0.64 pp
2021 7.6 +0.48 pp
2020 7.13 +0.61 pp
2019 6.52 +0.16 pp
2018 6.36 +0.04 pp
2017 6.31 +0.12 pp
2016 6.19 +0.08 pp
2015 6.11 +0.16 pp
2014 5.95 +0.02 pp
2013 5.93 −0.29 pp
2012 6.22 −0.18 pp
2011 6.4 +0.01 pp
2010 6.39 +0.22 pp
2009 6.17 +0.05 pp
2008 6.12 +0 pp
2007 6.12 −0.04 pp
2006 6.16 −0.06 pp
2005 6.21 −0.09 pp
2004 6.31 −0.14 pp
2003 6.45 −0.01 pp
2002 6.45 −0.05 pp
2001 6.5 −0.08 pp
2000 6.59 −0.03 pp
1999 6.62 +0.14 pp
1998 6.48 +0.06 pp
1997 6.42 +0.01 pp
1996 6.41 −0.02 pp
1995 6.43 −0.08 pp
1994 6.5 −0.05 pp
1993 6.56 +0.03 pp
1992 6.53 +0.13 pp
1991 6.4

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.