Unemployment Rate in Ethiopia increased to 18.90 percent in 2022 from 17.90 percent in 2021. This dataset provides - Ethiopia Unemployment Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

There were nearly 2.23 million unemployed people in Ethiopia as of 2024. The number increased compared to the previous year, when nearly 2.16 million people where unemployed but in the labor force in the country. Overall, unemployment in Ethiopia followed a rising trend from 2012 onwards, with a significant increase in 2020.

Graph and download economic data for Youth Unemployment Rate for Ethiopia (SLUEM1524ZSETH) from 1991 to 2024 about Ethiopia, 15 to 24 years, unemployment, and rate.

In 2024, the unemployment rate in Ethiopia did not change in comparison to the previous year. The unemployment rate remained at 3.4 percent. The unemployment rate refers to the share of the workforce that is currently not working but is actively searching for work. It does not include the economically inactive population, such as the long-term unemployed, those aged under 15 years, or retired persons.Find more statistics on other topics about Ethiopia with key insights such as youth literacy rate (people aged 15-24), number of children out of school, and Gender Parity Index (GPI) for gross enrollment in tertiary education.

Graph and download economic data for Employment to Population Ratio for Ethiopia (SLEMPTOTLSPZSETH) from 1991 to 2024 about Ethiopia, employment-population ratio, employment, and population.

Ethiopia: Unemployment rate: The latest value from 2023 is 3.5 percent, an increase from 3.49 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 6.99 percent, based on data from 178 countries. Historically, the average for Ethiopia from 1991 to 2023 is 2.93 percent. The minimum value, 2.25 percent, was reached in 2013 while the maximum of 4.02 percent was recorded in 2020.

Employment in industry (% of total employment) (modeled ILO estimate) in Ethiopia was reported at 6.468 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Ethiopia - Employment in industry (% of total employment) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) in Ethiopia was reported at 3.398 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Ethiopia - Unemployment, total - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

In 2024, the youth unemployment rate in Ethiopia remained nearly unchanged at around 5.43 percent. In comparison to 2023, the youth unemployment rate decreased not significantly by 0.01 percentage points (-0.18 percent). The youth unemployment rate refers to the share of the workforce aged 15 to 24 that is currently not working but is actively searching for work. It does not include the economically inactive population, such as the long-term unemployed or full-time students.Find more key insights for the youth unemployment rate in countries like Zimbabwe and Somalia.

Ethiopia ET: Unemployment with Basic Education: % of Total Labour Force data was reported at 5.461 % in 2013. This records a decrease from the previous number of 7.550 % for 2005. Ethiopia ET: Unemployment with Basic Education: % of Total Labour Force data is updated yearly, averaging 7.550 % from Dec 1999 (Median) to 2013, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 14.665 % in 1999 and a record low of 5.461 % in 2013. Ethiopia ET: Unemployment with Basic Education: % of Total Labour Force data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ethiopia – Table ET.World Bank: Employment and Unemployment. The percentage of the labor force with a basic level of education who are unemployed. Basic education comprises primary education or lower secondary education according to the International Standard Classification of Education 2011 (ISCED 2011).; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in September 2018.; Weighted average;

In 2022, there were nearly 56 million people employed in Ethiopia. The majority of the employed individuals in the country were men, accounting for nearly 53.7 percent. In the period examined, the number of female and male employees in the country followed the same trend, while the gender gap in employment was largest in 2020.

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Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) (modeled ILO estimate) in Ethiopia was reported at 5.431 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Ethiopia - Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) in Ethiopia was reported at 4.681 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Ethiopia - Unemployment, female - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Ethiopia ET: Unemployment with Advance Education: % of Total Labour Force data was reported at 17.580 % in 2012. This records an increase from the previous number of 17.410 % for 2011. Ethiopia ET: Unemployment with Advance Education: % of Total Labour Force data is updated yearly, averaging 17.495 % from Dec 2009 (Median) to 2012, with 4 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 18.160 % in 2010 and a record low of 15.060 % in 2009. Ethiopia ET: Unemployment with Advance Education: % of Total Labour Force data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ethiopia – Table ET.World Bank: 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 2017.; Weighted Average;

Ethiopia ET: Unemployment with Advance Education: Male: % of Male Labour Force data was reported at 12.270 % in 2012. This records an increase from the previous number of 12.120 % for 2011. Ethiopia ET: Unemployment with Advance Education: Male: % of Male Labour Force data is updated yearly, averaging 11.780 % from Dec 2009 (Median) to 2012, with 4 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 12.270 % in 2012 and a record low of 9.400 % in 2009. Ethiopia ET: 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 Ethiopia – Table ET.World Bank: 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 2017.; Weighted Average;

Employment to population ratio, 15+, total (%) (modeled ILO estimate) in Ethiopia was reported at 65.38 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Ethiopia - Employment to population ratio, 15+, total - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Abstract

Statistical information on all aspects of the population is vital for the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of economic and social development plan and policy issues. Labor force survey is one of the most important sources of data for assessing the role of the population of the country in the economic and social development process. It is useful to indicate the extent of available and unutilized human resources that must be absorbed by the national economy to ensure full employment and economic wellbeing of the population. Statistics on the labor force further present the economic activity status and its relationship to other social and economic characteristics of the population. Seasonal and other variations as well as changes over time in the size, distribution, and characteristics of employed and unemployed population can be monitored using up-to-date information from labor force surveys. It serves as an input for assessing the achievements of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Furthermore, labor force data is also useful as a springboard for monitoring and evaluation of the five years growth and transformation plan of the country.

Geographic coverage

The 2012 Urban Employment and Unemployment Survey (UEUS) covered all urban parts of the country except three zones of Afar, Six zones of Somali, where the residents are pastoralists.

Analysis unit

• Households
• Individuals

Universe

This survey follows household approach and covers households residing in conventional households and thus, population residing in the collective quarters such as universities/colleges, hotel/hostel, monasteries, and homeless population etc., were not covered by this survey.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

The list of households obtained from the 2007 population and housing census was used to select EAs. A fresh list of households from each EA was prepared at the beginning of the survey period. The list was then used as a frame to select 30 households from sample EAs.

The country was divided into two broad categories - major urban centers and other urban center categories.

Category I: In this category all regional capitals and five other major urban centers that have a high population size as compared to others were included. Each urban center in this category was considered as a reporting level. This category has a total of 16 reporting levels. To select the sample, a stratified two-stage cluster sample design was implemented. The primary sampling units were EAs of each reporting level.

Category II: Urban centers other than those under category I were grouped into this category. A stratified three stage cluster sample design was adopted to select samples from this category. The primary sampling units were urban centers and the second stage sampling units were EAs.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The survey questionnaire was organized into seven sections. Section 1 - Area identification of the selected household Section 2 - Particulars of household members Section 3 - Economic activity status during the last seven days Section 4 - Unemployment rate and characteristics of unemployed persons Section 5 - Economic activity status the population during the last six months Section 6 - Employment in the informal sector of Employment Section 7 - Economic activity of children aged 5-17 years

A structured questionnaire was used to solicit the required data in the survey. The draft questionnaire was tested by undertaking a pretest in selected kebeles (lower administrative unit) in Addis Ababa. Based on the pretest, the content, logical flow, layout and presentation of the questionnaire was amended. The questionnaire used in the field for data collection was prepared in Amharic language. Most questions have pre coded answers and column numbers were assigned for each question.

Cleaning operations

The filled-in questionnaires that were retrieved from the field were first subjected to manual editing and coding. During the fieldwork the field supervisors and the heads of branch statistical offices have checked the filled-in questionnaires and carried out some editing. However, the major editing and coding operation was carried out at the head office. All the edited questionnaires were again fully verified and checked for consistency before they were submitted to the data entry by the subject matter experts.

Using the computer edit specifications prepared earlier for this purpose, the entered data were checked for consistencies and then computer editing, or data cleaning was made by referring back to the filled-in questionnaire. This is an important part of data processing operation in attaining the required level of data quality. Consistency checks and re-checks were also made based on frequency and tabulation results. This was done by senior programmers using CSPro software in collaboration with the senior subject experts from Manpower Statistics Team of the CSA.

Response rate

Response rate was 99.68%.

Abstract

The Urban Employment and Unemployment Survey program was designed to provide statistical data on the size and characteristics of the economically active and the inactive population of the country on continuous basis. The variables collected in the survey: socio-demographic characteristics of household members; economic activity during the last seven days and six months; including characteristics of employed persons such as hours of work, occupation, industry, employment status, and earnings from paid employment; unemployment and characteristics of unemployed persons.

The general objective of the 2015 Urban Employment and Unemployment Survey is to provide statistical data on the characteristics and size of the economic activity status i.e. employed, unemployed population of the country at urban levels on annual basis. The specific objectives of the survey are to: • collect statistical data on the potential manpower and those who are available to take part in various socio-economic activities; • update the data and determine the size and distribution of the labour force participation and the status of economic activity for different sub-groups of the population at different levels of the country; and also to study the socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of these groups; • identify the size, distribution and characteristics of employed population i.e. working in the formal or informal employment sector of the economy and earnings from paid employees and its distribution by occupation and Industry...etc; • provide data on the size, characteristics and distribution of unemployed population and rate of unemployment; • provide data that can be used to assess the situation of women’s employment or the participation of women in the labour force; and • generated time series data to trace changes over time;

Geographic coverage

The survey covered all urban parts of the country except three zones of Afar and six zones of Somali, where the residents are pastoralists.

Analysis unit

• Household
• Individual

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

The 2007 Population and Housing Census was used as frame to select 30 households from the sample enumeration areas.

The country was divided into two broad categories. 1) Major urban centers: All regional capitals and five other major urban centers were included in this category. This category had a total of 16 reporting levels. A stratified two-stage cluster sample design was implemented to select the samples. The primary sampling units were EAs, from each EA 30 households were selected as a second stage unit.

2) Other urban centers: In this category, all other urban centers were included. This category had a total of 8 reporting levels. A stratified three stage cluster sample design was adopted to select samples from this category. The primary sampling units were urban centers and the second stage sampling units were EAs. From each EA 30 households were selected at the third stage.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The questionnaire that was used to collect the data had five sections:

Section - 1: Area identification of the selected household: this section dealt with area identification of the respondents such as region, zone, wereda, etc.

Section - 2: Socio- demographic characteristics of households: it consisted of the general socio-demographic characteristics of the population such as age, sex, education, status and type of migration, disability, literacy status, educational Attainment, types of training and marital status.

Section – 3: Economic activities during the last seven days: this section dealt with a range of questions which helps to see the status and characteristics of employed persons in a current status approach such as hours of work in productive activities, occupation, industry, status in employment, earnings from employment, job mobility, service year for paid employees employment in the formal and informal sector and time related under employment.

Section – 4: Unemployment and characteristics of unemployed persons: this section focused on the size, rate and characteristics of the unemployed population.

Section – 5: Economic activities during the last twelve months: this section consists of the usual economic activity status refereeing to the long reference period i.e. engaged in productive activities during most of the last twelve months, reason for not being active, status in employment, main occupation and industry with two digit codes.

Cleaning operations

The filled-in questionnaires that were retrieved from the field were first subjected to manual editing and coding. During the fieldwork, field supervisors and statisticians of the head and branch statistical offices have checked the filled-in questionnaires and carried out some editing. However, the major editing and coding operation was carried out at the head office. All the edited questionnaires were again fully verified and checked for consistency before they were submitted to the data entry by the subject matter experts.

Using the computer edit specifications prepared earlier for this purpose, the entered data were checked for consistencies and then computer editing or data cleaning was made by referring back to the filled-in questionnaire. This is an important part of data processing operation to maintain the quality of the data. Consistency checks and rechecks were also made based on frequency and tabulation results. This was done by senior programmers using CSPro software in collaboration with the senior subject matter experts from Manpower Statistics Team of the CSA.

Response rate

Response rate of the survey was 99.8%

Sampling error estimates

Estimation procedures, estimates, and CV's for selected tables are provided in the Annex II and III of the survey final report.

Ethiopia ET: Unemployment with Advance Education: Female: % of Female Labour Force data was reported at 9.120 % in 2012. This records an increase from the previous number of 9.080 % for 2011. Ethiopia ET: Unemployment with Advance Education: Female: % of Female Labour Force data is updated yearly, averaging 8.480 % from Dec 2009 (Median) to 2012, with 4 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 9.120 % in 2012 and a record low of 7.020 % in 2009. Ethiopia ET: Unemployment with Advance Education: Female: % of Female Labour Force data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ethiopia – Table ET.World Bank: 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 2017.; Weighted Average;