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.

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.

The unemployment rate in Ethiopia amounted to 3.4 percent in 2024. Between 1991 and 2024, the unemployment rate rose by 0.14 percentage points, though the increase followed an uneven trajectory rather than a consistent upward trend.

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.

Actual value and historical data chart for Ethiopia Unemployment Total Percent Of Total Labor Force

Historical dataset showing Ethiopia unemployment rate by year from 1991 to 2024.

The youth unemployment rate in Ethiopia stood at 5.43 percent in 2024. Between 1991 and 2024, the youth unemployment rate rose by 0.75 percentage points, though the increase followed an uneven trajectory rather than a consistent upward trend.

Dataset of the Ethiopia Annual Unemployment Rate, including historical data, latest releases, and long-term trends from 1991-12-31 to 2024-12-31. Available for free download in CSV format.

Youth Unemployment Rate in Ethiopia increased to 27.20 percent in 2022 from 25.70 percent in 2020. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for Ethiopia Youth Unemployment Rate.

Historical dataset showing Ethiopia youth unemployment rate by year from 1991 to 2024.

There were nearly 2.35 million unemployed people in Ethiopia as of 2022. The number of women without a job in the country was higher than the number of men throughout the period investigated. Overall, unemployment in Ethiopia followed an increasing trend with a significant increase in 2020 for both genders.

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 November of 2025.

Ethiopia ET: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: % of Total Labour Force data was reported at 5.204 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 5.093 % for 2016. Ethiopia ET: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: % of Total Labour Force data is updated yearly, averaging 5.232 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8.710 % in 1999 and a record low of 3.081 % in 1991. Ethiopia ET: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: % 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.WDI: Employment and Unemployment. Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in September 2018.; Weighted average; Data up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections. National estimates are also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.

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 2016 Urban Employment and Unemployment Survey is to provide statistical data on the distribution, 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 socio-economic 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 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 • generate annual 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. 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 six 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 six months, reason for not being active.

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 was an important part of data processing operation to maintain the quality of the data. 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 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.

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 2014 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 six 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.

Section – 6: Economic activities of children age 5-17 years: this section comprises information on the participation of children age 5-17 years in the economic activities, whether attending education, reason for not attending education, whether they were working during the last seven days, reason for working, for whom they are working, types of injury at work place, whether using protective wear while working and frequency of working periods, and orphan hood status.

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: National Estimate: Youth Male: % of Male Labour Force Aged 15-24 data was reported at 17.140 % in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 21.320 % for 2015. Ethiopia ET: Unemployment: National Estimate: Youth Male: % of Male Labour Force Aged 15-24 data is updated yearly, averaging 21.150 % from Dec 2004 (Median) to 2016, with 11 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 28.240 % in 2004 and a record low of 4.090 % in 2005. Ethiopia ET: Unemployment: National Estimate: Youth Male: % of Male Labour Force Aged 15-24 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. Youth unemployment refers to the share of the labor force ages 15-24 without work but available for and seeking employment. Definitions of labor force and unemployment differ by country.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in November 2017.; Weighted Average; The series for ILO estimates is also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.

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 Central Statistical Agency (CSA) has been providing labour force and related data at different levels and with varying details in their content. These include the 1976 Addis Ababa Manpower and Housing Sample Survey, the 1978 Survey on Population and Housing Characteristics of Seventeen Major Towns, the 1980/81 and 1987/88 Rural Labour Force Surveys, the 1984 and 1994 Population and Housing Census, and 2003 and 2004 Urban Bi-annual Employment Unemployment Survey. The 1996 and 2002 Surveys of Informal Sector and most of the household surveys undertaken by the Agency also provide limited information on the area. Still pieces of information in relation to that of employment can also be derived from small, large and medium scale establishment surveys.

Till the 1999 Labour Force Survey (LFS) there hasn't been a comprehensive national labour force survey representing both urban and rural areas. This 2005 LFS is the second in the series. Like the National Labour Force Survey of 1999, it covered both the urban and rural areas of all regions.

The specific objectives of this survey are to: - generate data on the size of work force that is available to participate in production process; - determine the status and rate of economic participation of different sub-groups of the population; - identify those who are actually contributing to the economic development (i.e., employed) and those out of the sphere; - determine the size and rate of unemployed population; - provide data on the structure of the working population; - obtain information about earnings from paid employment; - identify the distribution of employed population working in the formal/informal enterprises; and - provide time series data and trace changes over time.

Geographic coverage

The survey covered all rural and urban parts of the country except all zones of Gambella region excluding Gambella town, and the non-sedentary population of three zones of Afar & six zones of Somali regions.

Analysis unit

Household Individual

Universe

The survey covered all households in selected sample areas except residents of collective quarters, homeless persons and foreigners.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

SAMPLING FRAME: The list of households obtained from the 2001/2 Ethiopian Agricultural Sample Enumeration (EASE) is used to select EAs from the rural part of the country. For urban sample EAs on the other hand the list consisting of households by EA, which was obtained from the 2004 Ethiopian Urban Economic Establishment Census, (EUEEC) was used as a frame. A fresh list of households from each urban and rural EA was prepared at the beginning of the survey period. The list was then used as a frame for selecting sample households of each EAs.

SAMPLE DESIGN: For the purpose of the survey the country was divided into three broad categories. That is; rural, major urban center and other urban center categories.

Category I: Rural: - This category consists of the rural areas of 8 regions and two city administrations found in the country. Regarding the survey domains, each region or city administration was considered to be a domain (Reporting Level) for which major findings of the survey are reported. This category totally comprises 10 reporting levels. A stratified two-stage cluster sample design was used to select samples in which the primary sampling units (PSUs) were EAs. Households per sample EA were selected as a second Stage Sampling Unit (SSU) and the survey questionnaire finally administered to all members of sample households.

Category II:- Major urban centers:- In this category all regional capitals and 15 other major urban centers that had a population size of 40,000 or more in 2004 were included. Each urban center in this category was considered as a reporting level. The category has totally 26 reporting levels. In this category too, in order to select the samples, a stratified two-stage cluster sample design was implemented. The primary sampling units were EAs. Households from each sample EA were then selected as a Second Stage Unit.

Category III: - Other urban centers: Urban centers in the country other than those under category II were grouped into this category. Excluding Gambella a domain of other urban centers is formed for each region. Consequently seven reporting levels were formed in this category. Harari, Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa do not have urban centers other than that grouped in category II. Hence, no domain was formed for these regions under this category. Unlike the above two categories 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. Households from each EA were finely selected at the third stage and the survey questionnaires administered for all of them.

SAMPLE SIZE AND SELECTION SCHEME: Category I: - Totally 830 EAs and 24,900 households were selected from this category. Sample EAs of each reporting level were selected using Probability Proportional to Size (PPS) systematic sampling technique; size being number of household obtained from the 2001/2 Ethiopian Agricultural Sample Enumeration. From the fresh list of households prepared at the beginning of the survey 30 households per EA were systematically selected and surveyed.

Category II: - In this category 720 EAs and 21,600 households were selected. Sample EAs from each reporting level in this category were also selected using probability proportional to size systematic sampling; size being number of households obtained from the 2004 EUEEC. From the fresh list of households prepared at the beginning of the survey 30 households per EA were systematically selected and covered by the study.

Category III:-127 urban centers, 275 EAs and 8,250 households were selected in this category. Urban centers from each domain and EAs from each urban center were selected using probability proportional to size systematic selection method; size being number of households obtained from the 2004 EUEEC. From the fresh listing of each EA 30 households were systematically selected and the study carried out on the 30 households ultimately selected.

Note: Distribution of number of samples planned and covered from each domain are given in the Summary Table 2.1, Table 2.2 and Table 2.3 of the 2005 National Labour Force Survey report which is provided as external resource.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The survey has used a structured questionnaire to produce the required data. Before taking its final shape, the draft questionnaire was tested by undertaking a pre-test. The pre-test was conducted in Addis Ababa, Sendoffs, Teji and their vicinity. Based on the findings of the pre-test, the content, layout and presentation of the questionnaire was amended comments and inputs on the draft contents of the survey questionnaire obtained from user-producer forum were also incorporated in the final questionnaire.

The contents of the questionnaire and methods used in this survey were further improved based on comment of international consultant. The consultancy was obtained as part of a joint World Bank/IMF project to improve statistics of countries in Anglo-phone Africa participating in the General Data Dissemination System (GDDS).

The questionnaire was organized in to five sections; Section 1 - Area identification of the selected household: this section dealt with area identification of respondents such as region, zone, wereda, etc.,

Section 2 - Socio- demographic characteristics of households: it consisted of the general sociodemographic characteristics of the population such as age, sex, education, status and type of disability, status and types of training, marital status and fertility questions.

Section 3 - Productive 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, employment status, and earnings from employment. Also questions included are hours spent on fetching water, collection of firewood, and domestic chores and place of work.

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

Section 5 - Economic activities during the last twelve months: this section covered the usual economic activity status (refereeing to the long reference period), number of weeks of employment /unemployment/inactive, reasons for inactivity, employment status, whether working in the agricultural sector or not and the proportion of income gained from non-agricultural sector. The questionnaire used in the field for data collection was prepared in Amharic language. Most questions have pre-coded answers. A copy of the questionnaire translated to English is provided as external resource.

Cleaning operations

Data Editing, Coding and Verification: The filled-in questionnaires that were retrieved from the field were first subjected to manual editing and coding. During the fieldwork the enumerator, the field supervisors, Statisticians and the heads of branch statistical offices have done some editing. However, the major editing 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.

Response rate

Ultimately 100.00 % EAs and 99.84% household were covered

Time series data for the statistic Unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) (modeled ILO estimate) and country Ethiopia. Indicator Definition:Youth unemployment refers to the share of the labor force ages 15-24 without work but available for and seeking employment.The indicator "Unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) (modeled ILO estimate)" stands at 7.19 as of 12/31/2024, the lowest value since 12/31/2020. Regarding the One-Year-Change of the series, the current value constitutes a decrease of -0.5669 percent compared to the value the year prior.The 1 year change in percent is -0.5669.The 3 year change in percent is -13.31.The 5 year change in percent is 15.17.The 10 year change in percent is 53.10.The Serie's long term average value is 5.68. It's latest available value, on 12/31/2024, is 26.60 percent higher, compared to it's long term average value.The Serie's change in percent from it's minimum value, on 12/31/2012, to it's latest available value, on 12/31/2024, is +63.10%.The Serie's change in percent from it's maximum value, on 12/31/2020, to it's latest available value, on 12/31/2024, is -15.78%.

ethiopia - Youth Unemployment Rate for Ethiopia was 5.43% in January of 2024, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, ethiopia - Youth Unemployment Rate for Ethiopia reached a record high of 6.25 in January of 2021 and a record low of 5.41 in January of 2022. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for ethiopia - Youth Unemployment Rate for Ethiopia - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on December of 2025.