Vulnerable employment — all countries

Vulnerable employment — High-income countries

Vulnerable employment in high-income countries in 2025 — 7.92%. Since 1991, the indicator has fallen by 3.49 pp.

2025 7.92% −0.09 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 11.49%1994
Period minimum 7.92%2025

Trend over time

1991–2025 · % of employment

Vulnerable employment — High-income countries, 1991–202578910111219911995199920032007201120152019202320251991: 11.41%1992: 11.47%1993: 11.46%1994: 11.49%1995: 11.43%1996: 11.35%1997: 11.34%1998: 11.14%1999: 10.95%2000: 10.73%2001: 10.61%2002: 10.39%2003: 10.34%2004: 10.25%2005: 10.08%2006: 9.86%2007: 9.62%2008: 9.36%2009: 9.4%2010: 9.4%2011: 9.34%2012: 9.3%2013: 9.24%2014: 9.19%2015: 9.04%2016: 8.95%2017: 8.75%2018: 8.66%2019: 8.59%2020: 8.66%2021: 8.52%2022: 8.27%2023: 8.12%2024: 8.01%2025: 7.92%
Change over the period: −3.49 pp Annual average: -0.1 pp

Comparison, 2025

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: High-income countries

High-income countries 7.92%
World 42.38%
Vulnerable employment — High-income countries, by year High-income countries All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 7.92 −0.09 pp
2024 8.01 −0.1 pp
2023 8.12 −0.15 pp
2022 8.27 −0.25 pp
2021 8.52 −0.14 pp
2020 8.66 +0.07 pp
2019 8.59 −0.07 pp
2018 8.66 −0.08 pp
2017 8.75 −0.2 pp
2016 8.95 −0.09 pp
2015 9.04 −0.15 pp
2014 9.19 −0.05 pp
2013 9.24 −0.06 pp
2012 9.3 −0.04 pp
2011 9.34 −0.07 pp
2010 9.4 −0 pp
2009 9.4 +0.04 pp
2008 9.36 −0.25 pp
2007 9.62 −0.24 pp
2006 9.86 −0.22 pp
2005 10.08 −0.17 pp
2004 10.25 −0.09 pp
2003 10.34 −0.05 pp
2002 10.39 −0.22 pp
2001 10.61 −0.12 pp
2000 10.73 −0.22 pp
1999 10.95 −0.19 pp
1998 11.14 −0.19 pp
1997 11.34 −0.01 pp
1996 11.35 −0.08 pp
1995 11.43 −0.06 pp
1994 11.49 +0.04 pp
1993 11.46 −0.02 pp
1992 11.47 +0.06 pp
1991 11.41

About the indicator

The share of own-account workers and contributing family workers in total employment. The ILO devised the category as a substitute for informal employment where informality is not measured: such workers usually have no employment contract, no social insurance and no protection against dismissal, and their income depends directly on what they produce. In the poorest countries this share exceeds three quarters of the employed — wage work there is closer to an exception.

Important: Not the same as informal employment: an employee without a contract does not fall into this category, though they are no better protected. The indicator understates informality in countries where off-the-books hiring is widespread.

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