The unemployment rate in Nigeria declined to 3.07 percent in 2023. Therefore, the unemployment rate in Nigeria saw its lowest number in that year with 3.07 percent. The unemployment rate refers to the share of the economically active population currently without work but in search of employment. The unemployment rate does not include economically inactive persons such as the long-term unemployed, children, or retirees.Find more key insights for the unemployment rate in countries like Niger and Benin.

Youth Unemployment Rate in Nigeria decreased to 6.50 percent in the second quarter of 2024 from 8.40 percent in the first quarter of 2024. This dataset provides - Nigeria Youth Unemployment Rate- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

As of 2023, the State of Abia, registered the highest unemployment rate in Nigeria, at nearly 19 percent. This was followed by FCT and Rivers with rates reaching 13 percent and 14 prcent, respectively. In contrast, Lagos state achieved the lowest unemployment rate, at 5.5 percent.

In 2022, the unemployment rate in Nigeria is estimated to reach 33 percent. This figure was projected to at 32.5 percent in the preceding year.

Chronological data show that the unemployment rate in Nigeria rose constantly in the past years. In the fourth quarter of 2020, over 33 percent of the labor force was unemployed, according to the Nigerian methodology.

Key information about Nigeria Unemployment Rate

• Nigeria Unemployment Rate dropped to 4.10% in Mar 2023, from the previously reported figure of 5.30% in Dec 2022.
• Nigeria Unemployment Rate is updated quarterly, available from Dec 2022 to Mar 2023, with an average rate of 4.70%.
• The data reached an all-time high of 5.30% in Dec 2022 and a record low of 4.10% in Mar 2023.
• The data is reported by reported by CEIC Data.
• In the latest reports, Nigeria Population reached 211.49 million people in Dec 2021.

In 2023, the estimated youth unemployment rate in Nigeria was at almost 5.13 percent. According to the source, the data are estimates from the International Labour Organization, an agency of the United Nations developing policies to set labor standards. Employment in Nigeria The youth unemployment rate refers to the percentage of the unemployed in the age group of 15 to 24 years as compared to the total labor force. Youth unemployment rates are often higher than overall unemployment rates, which is true in Nigeria as well: the general rate of unemployment was approximately six percent in 2018. One reason for this contrast is that many of the youth under age 24 are studying full-time and are unavailable for work due to this. Education in Nigeria Nigeria’s population has a large percentage of young inhabitants, and there is a high demand for educational opportunities for its young populace. After severe cuts in governmental aid following a nationwide recession in 2016, Nigeria’s underfunded higher education system became the focus of ongoing student protests and strikes. Other families have taken a different approach: Nigeria is the top country of origin for international students from the continent of Africa. For example, Nigeria sent over 12,600 students to the U.S. in 2017/18, the most of any African country.

Employment Rate in Nigeria increased to 76.10 percent in the second quarter of 2024 from 73.20 percent in the first quarter of 2024. This dataset provides - Nigeria Employment Rate- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

In the fourth quarter of 2020, the unemployment rate in Nigeria reached 17.5 percent, according to the international methodology. The most affected group was those of individuals who achieved the Certificate of Education, the Ordinary National Diploma, or nursing school (roughly 29 percent). On the other hand, the lowest figure were registered among individuals who achieved the a vocational or commercial trainings.

The NEW Nigeria methodology defines as unemployed labor force who did not work at all or worked for less than 20 hours a week. The international definition, instead, include people aged 15 years to 64 years old who were available for work, actively seeking work, but were unable to find work.

Nigeria: Unemployment rate, percent: The latest value from is percent, unavailable from percent in . In comparison, the world average is 0.00 percent, based on data from countries. Historically, the average for Nigeria from to is percent. The minimum value, percent, was reached in while the maximum of percent was recorded in .

Nigeria Unemployment Rate: Rural data was reported at 2.800 % in Jun 2024. This records a decrease from the previous number of 4.300 % for Mar 2024. Nigeria Unemployment Rate: Rural data is updated quarterly, averaging 3.500 % from Dec 2022 (Median) to Jun 2024, with 7 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.300 % in Mar 2024 and a record low of 2.500 % in Jun 2023. Nigeria Unemployment Rate: Rural data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Nigeria – Table NG.G003: Unemployment Rate: New Methodology.

In 2023, the unemployed male population in Nigeria was estimated at around 763,000. On the other hand, the female population without any form of employment was higher, roughly 1.5 million people. The number of people of working age in the country who are not in employment has improved in recent years.

Nigeria Unemployment Rate: 45 to 54 Years data was reported at 1.700 % in Jun 2024. This records a decrease from the previous number of 2.200 % for Mar 2024. Nigeria Unemployment Rate: 45 to 54 Years data is updated quarterly, averaging 2.200 % from Dec 2022 (Median) to Jun 2024, with 7 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.500 % in Dec 2022 and a record low of 1.700 % in Jun 2024. Nigeria Unemployment Rate: 45 to 54 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Nigeria – Table NG.G003: Unemployment Rate: New Methodology.

Nigeria NG: Unemployment with Advance Education: Male: % of Male Labour Force data was reported at 13.689 % in 2016. Nigeria NG: Unemployment with Advance Education: Male: % of Male Labour Force data is updated yearly, averaging 13.689 % from Dec 2016 (Median) to 2016, with 1 observations. Nigeria NG: Unemployment with Advance Education: Male: % of Male Labour Force data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Nigeria – Table NG.World Bank.WDI: Employment and Unemployment. The percentage of the labor force with an advanced level of education who are unemployed. Advanced education comprises short-cycle tertiary education, a bachelor’s degree or equivalent education level, a master’s degree or equivalent education level, or doctoral degree or equivalent education level according to the International Standard Classification of Education 2011 (ISCED 2011).; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in November 2018.; Weighted average;

South Africa is expected to register the highest unemployment rate in Africa in 2024, with around 30 percent of the country's labor force being unemployed. Djibouti and Eswatini followed, with unemployment reaching roughly 28 percent and 25 percent, respectively. On the other hand, the lowest unemployment rates in Africa were in Niger and Burundi. The continent’s average stood at roughly seven percent in the same year.

Large shares of youth among the unemployed

Due to several educational, socio-demographic, and economic factors, the young population is more likely to face unemployment in most regions of the world. In 2024, the youth unemployment rate in Africa was projected at around 11 percent. The situation was particularly critical in certain countries. In 2022, Djibouti recorded a youth unemployment rate of almost 80 percent, the highest rate on the continent. South Africa followed, with around 52 percent of the young labor force being unemployed.

Wide disparities in female unemployment

Women are another demographic group often facing high unemployment. In Africa, the female unemployment rate stood at roughly eight percent in 2023, compared to 6.6 percent among men. The average female unemployment on the continent was not particularly high. However, there were significant disparities among African countries. Djibouti and South Africa topped the ranking once again in 2022, with female unemployment rates of around 38 percent and 31 percent, respectively. In contrast, Niger, Burundi, and Chad were far below Africa’s average, as only roughly one percent or lower of the women in the labor force were unemployed.

Nigeria Unemployment Rate: 25 to 34 Years data was reported at 6.500 % in Jun 2024. This records a decrease from the previous number of 7.500 % for Mar 2024. Nigeria Unemployment Rate: 25 to 34 Years data is updated quarterly, averaging 6.600 % from Dec 2022 (Median) to Jun 2024, with 7 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8.000 % in Dec 2023 and a record low of 4.700 % in Jun 2023. Nigeria Unemployment Rate: 25 to 34 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Nigeria – Table NG.G003: Unemployment Rate: New Methodology.

As of 2023, the total unemployed population in Nigeria was estimated at around 2.3 million. This increased from the preceding year, when around 2.9 million people were not in any form of employment. In 2019, a peak of over 7.8 million people was achieved, considering the period observed. Overall, the rate of unemployment in the country has been following an positive trend in recent years.

In the fourth of 2020, the unemployment rate in Nigeria reached 33.28 percent. Between 2015 and 2020, the unemployment rate grew. In particular, in 2017 the unemployment rate registered the fastest growth, increasing by about six percentage points during the year. However, this data were calculated according to the Nigerian methodology. Based on the most common international methodology, the unemployment rate in Nigeria stood at 17.5 percent. The NEW Nigeria methodology defines as unemployed labor force who did not work at all or worked for less than 20 hours a week. The international definition, instead, include people aged 15 years to 64 years old who were available for work, actively seeking work, but were unable to find work.

Nigeria Unemployment Rate: ILO: 25 to 34 Years data was reported at 9.834 % in Sep 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 8.426 % for Jun 2017. Nigeria Unemployment Rate: ILO: 25 to 34 Years data is updated quarterly, averaging 7.100 % from Mar 2014 (Median) to Sep 2017, with 15 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 9.834 % in Sep 2017 and a record low of 2.354 % in Dec 2014. Nigeria Unemployment Rate: ILO: 25 to 34 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Nigeria – Table NG.G003: Unemployment Rate: New Methodology.

Inflation Rate in Nigeria decreased to 23.18 percent in February from 24.48 percent in January of 2025. This dataset provides - Nigeria Inflation Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Nigeria Unemployment Rate: Male data was reported at 3.400 % in Jun 2024. This records a decrease from the previous number of 4.300 % for Mar 2024. Nigeria Unemployment Rate: Male data is updated quarterly, averaging 4.000 % from Dec 2022 (Median) to Jun 2024, with 7 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.700 % in Dec 2023 and a record low of 3.100 % in Mar 2023. Nigeria Unemployment Rate: Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Nigeria – Table NG.G003: Unemployment Rate: New Methodology.