Vulnerable employment — all countries

Vulnerable employment — Western Asia

Vulnerable employment in Western Asia in 2025 — 20.54%. Since 1991, the indicator has fallen by 18.35 pp.

2025 20.54% −0.22 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 38.89%1991
Period minimum 20.54%2025

Trend over time

1991–2025 · % of employment

Vulnerable employment — Western Asia, 1991–2025202530354019911995199920032007201120152019202320251991: 38.89%1992: 38.58%1993: 38.19%1994: 38.25%1995: 38.05%1996: 37.74%1997: 37.38%1998: 36.98%1999: 36.59%2000: 35.98%2001: 36.26%2002: 34.89%2003: 34.31%2004: 32.26%2005: 30.76%2006: 29.23%2007: 28.14%2008: 26.67%2009: 26.93%2010: 26.39%2011: 25.86%2012: 24.92%2013: 24.23%2014: 23.92%2015: 23.07%2016: 22.57%2017: 22.6%2018: 22.44%2019: 22.57%2020: 22.02%2021: 21.75%2022: 21.32%2023: 20.75%2024: 20.76%2025: 20.54%
Change over the period: −18.35 pp Annual average: -0.54 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Western Asia 20.54%
World 42.38%
Vulnerable employment — Western Asia, by year Western Asia All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 20.54 −0.22 pp
2024 20.76 +0.01 pp
2023 20.75 −0.57 pp
2022 21.32 −0.42 pp
2021 21.75 −0.27 pp
2020 22.02 −0.55 pp
2019 22.57 +0.13 pp
2018 22.44 −0.16 pp
2017 22.6 +0.03 pp
2016 22.57 −0.49 pp
2015 23.07 −0.86 pp
2014 23.92 −0.31 pp
2013 24.23 −0.69 pp
2012 24.92 −0.95 pp
2011 25.86 −0.53 pp
2010 26.39 −0.54 pp
2009 26.93 +0.26 pp
2008 26.67 −1.47 pp
2007 28.14 −1.1 pp
2006 29.23 −1.53 pp
2005 30.76 −1.51 pp
2004 32.26 −2.04 pp
2003 34.31 −0.58 pp
2002 34.89 −1.37 pp
2001 36.26 +0.29 pp
2000 35.98 −0.62 pp
1999 36.59 −0.39 pp
1998 36.98 −0.4 pp
1997 37.38 −0.36 pp
1996 37.74 −0.3 pp
1995 38.05 −0.2 pp
1994 38.25 +0.06 pp
1993 38.19 −0.4 pp
1992 38.58 −0.31 pp
1991 38.89

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.