Vulnerable employment — all countries

Vulnerable employment — Middle East & North Africa

Vulnerable employment in Middle East & North Africa in 2025 — 36.07%. Since 1991, the indicator has fallen by 8.65 pp.

2025 36.07% −0.21 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 44.72%1991
Period minimum 36.07%2025

Trend over time

1991–2025 · % of employment

Vulnerable employment — Middle East & North Africa, 1991–20253537.54042.54519911995199920032007201120152019202320251991: 44.72%1992: 44.45%1993: 44.32%1994: 43.9%1995: 43.69%1996: 43.59%1997: 42.8%1998: 43.03%1999: 42.62%2000: 42.56%2001: 42.24%2002: 41.1%2003: 41.17%2004: 41.81%2005: 40.33%2006: 39.79%2007: 39.88%2008: 39.58%2009: 39.37%2010: 38.98%2011: 38.56%2012: 37.92%2013: 38.28%2014: 37.98%2015: 37.79%2016: 37.37%2017: 37.19%2018: 36.41%2019: 37.41%2020: 37.07%2021: 37.15%2022: 36.46%2023: 36.39%2024: 36.27%2025: 36.07%
Change over the period: −8.65 pp Annual average: -0.25 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 36.07%
World 42.38%
Vulnerable employment — Middle East & North Africa, by year Middle East & North Africa All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 36.07 −0.21 pp
2024 36.27 −0.12 pp
2023 36.39 −0.07 pp
2022 36.46 −0.69 pp
2021 37.15 +0.08 pp
2020 37.07 −0.34 pp
2019 37.41 +1 pp
2018 36.41 −0.78 pp
2017 37.19 −0.18 pp
2016 37.37 −0.42 pp
2015 37.79 −0.19 pp
2014 37.98 −0.29 pp
2013 38.28 +0.36 pp
2012 37.92 −0.64 pp
2011 38.56 −0.43 pp
2010 38.98 −0.39 pp
2009 39.37 −0.21 pp
2008 39.58 −0.3 pp
2007 39.88 +0.09 pp
2006 39.79 −0.54 pp
2005 40.33 −1.48 pp
2004 41.81 +0.64 pp
2003 41.17 +0.07 pp
2002 41.1 −1.14 pp
2001 42.24 −0.31 pp
2000 42.56 −0.06 pp
1999 42.62 −0.41 pp
1998 43.03 +0.24 pp
1997 42.8 −0.8 pp
1996 43.59 −0.1 pp
1995 43.69 −0.21 pp
1994 43.9 −0.42 pp
1993 44.32 −0.12 pp
1992 44.45 −0.27 pp
1991 44.72

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.