Sub-Saharan Africa Unemployment Rate 1991-2024

Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment.
  • Sub-Saharan Africa unemployment rate for 2022 was 6.75%, a 0.05% decline from 2021.
  • Sub-Saharan Africa unemployment rate for 2021 was 6.80%, a 0.17% increase from 2020.
  • Sub-Saharan Africa unemployment rate for 2020 was 6.63%, a 0.56% increase from 2019.
  • Sub-Saharan Africa unemployment rate for 2019 was 6.07%, a 0.15% increase from 2018.
Data Source: World Bank

MLA Citation:
Similar Country Ranking
Country Name Unemployment Rate (%)
Latin America & Caribbean 7.02%
South Asia 6.98%
Sub-Saharan Africa 6.75%
Euro Area 6.72%
European Union 6.09%
World 5.77%
OECD members 4.93%
East Asia & Pacific 4.09%
North America 3.79%
Sub-Saharan Africa Unemployment Rate - Historical Data
Year Unemployment Rate (%) Annual Change
2022 6.75% -0.05%
2021 6.80% 0.17%
2020 6.63% 0.56%
2019 6.07% 0.15%
2018 5.92% 0.00%
2017 5.91% 0.06%
2016 5.85% 0.04%
2015 5.81% 0.19%
2014 5.61% 0.09%
2013 5.52% -0.17%
2012 5.69% -0.07%
2011 5.76% -0.15%
2010 5.91% 0.40%
2009 5.51% 0.06%
2008 5.45% -0.02%
2007 5.47% -0.06%
2006 5.53% -0.06%
2005 5.60% -0.11%
2004 5.71% -0.15%
2003 5.85% -0.05%
2002 5.91% -0.08%
2001 5.98% -0.09%
2000 6.07% -0.03%
1999 6.11% 0.04%
1998 6.06% -0.01%
1997 6.07% 0.04%
1996 6.03% 0.01%
1995 6.03% -0.07%
1994 6.09% -0.05%
1993 6.14% -0.03%
1992 6.18% 0.03%
1991 6.15% 0.03%