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Female unemployment — all countries

Female unemployment — Zambia

Female unemployment in Zambia in 2025 — 6.16%. Ranked 100 in the world out of 182. Since 1991, the indicator has fallen by 16.06 pp.

2025 6.16% +0.09 pp vs 2024
World rank 100of 182
Period maximum 22.22%1991
Period minimum 4.78%2017

Trend over time

1991–2025 · % of female labor force

Female unemployment — Zambia, 1991–2025010203019911995199920032007201120152019202320251991: 22.22%1992: 21.7%1993: 20.63%1994: 19.49%1995: 17.51%1996: 15.84%1997: 13.28%1998: 11.48%1999: 11.47%2000: 11.38%2001: 11.91%2002: 12.67%2003: 13.32%2004: 14.04%2005: 14.75%2006: 12.43%2007: 10.07%2008: 7.69%2009: 10.33%2010: 12.96%2011: 10.43%2012: 7.82%2013: 7.31%2014: 6.67%2015: 6.11%2016: 5.45%2017: 4.78%2018: 5.09%2019: 5.21%2020: 6.56%2021: 5.7%2022: 6.29%2023: 6.04%2024: 6.07%2025: 6.16%
Change over the period: −16.06 pp Annual average: -0.47 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Zambia 6.16%
World 4.94%
Sub-Saharan Africa 6.25%
Eastern Africa computed 5.17%
Lower-middle-income countries computed 5.03%
Female unemployment — Zambia, by year Zambia All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 6.16 +0.09 pp
2024 6.07 +0.04 pp
2023 6.04 −0.26 pp
2022 6.29 +0.59 pp
2021 5.7 −0.86 pp
2020 6.56 +1.35 pp
2019 5.21 +0.13 pp
2018 5.09 +0.31 pp
2017 4.78 −0.67 pp
2016 5.45 −0.65 pp
2015 6.11 −0.57 pp
2014 6.67 −0.63 pp
2013 7.31 −0.52 pp
2012 7.82 −2.61 pp
2011 10.43 −2.53 pp
2010 12.96 +2.63 pp
2009 10.33 +2.63 pp
2008 7.69 −2.38 pp
2007 10.07 −2.36 pp
2006 12.43 −2.31 pp
2005 14.75 +0.7 pp
2004 14.04 +0.72 pp
2003 13.32 +0.65 pp
2002 12.67 +0.76 pp
2001 11.91 +0.53 pp
2000 11.38 −0.09 pp
1999 11.47 −0 pp
1998 11.48 −1.8 pp
1997 13.28 −2.57 pp
1996 15.84 −1.66 pp
1995 17.51 −1.99 pp
1994 19.49 −1.14 pp
1993 20.63 −1.07 pp
1992 21.7 −0.52 pp
1991 22.22 —

Eastern Africa, 2025

The same indicator for neighboring countries — with links to their pages

BI Burundi 0.81 TZ Tanzania 2.22 UG Uganda 3.29 MG Madagascar 3.31 KM Comoros 4.4 ET Ethiopia 4.53 MW Malawi 6.01 ZM Zambia 6.16 ER Eritrea 6.73 KE Kenya 6.74 MZ Mozambique 7.18 MU Mauritius 7.62 ZW Zimbabwe 9.37 RW Rwanda 12.83 SO Somalia 24.58 DJ Djibouti 35.43
Full table for all countries

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.

Other indicators for Zambia

Labor Male unemployment

The share of men in the labor force who have no job and are looking for one.

Zambia by year Labor Unemployment rate

The share of the labor force that is looking for work and available to start.

Zambia by year Labor Female labor force participation rate

The share of women aged 15 and over who work or look for work — the main indicator of access to employment.

Zambia by year Labor Female share of the labor force

What part of the labor force of a country is made up of women.

Zambia by year
All indicators for Zambia