Unemployment Rate in Nigeria decreased to 4.30 percent in the second quarter of 2024 from 5.30 percent in the first quarter of 2024. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Nigeria Unemployment Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

In 2024, the unemployment rate in Nigeria amounted to 2.99 percent. Between 1991 and 2024, the figure dropped by 0.86 percentage points, though the decline followed an uneven course rather than a steady trajectory.

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.

Graph and download economic data for Youth Unemployment Rate for Nigeria (SLUEM1524ZSNGA) from 1991 to 2024 about Nigeria, 15 to 24 years, unemployment, and rate.

In 2024, the estimated youth unemployment rate in Nigeria was at almost 5.05 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.

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.

Nigeria Unemployment Rate: 55 to 64 Years data was reported at 2.000 % in Jun 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 1.500 % for Mar 2024. Nigeria Unemployment Rate: 55 to 64 Years data is updated quarterly, averaging 1.900 % from Dec 2022 (Median) to Jun 2024, with 7 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.100 % in Dec 2023 and a record low of 1.500 % in Mar 2024. Nigeria Unemployment Rate: 55 to 64 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.

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 for females: The latest value from 2024 is 4 percent, a decline from 4.11 percent in 2023. In comparison, the world average is 8.08 percent, based on data from 176 countries. Historically, the average for Nigeria from 1991 to 2024 is 4.06 percent. The minimum value, 3.37 percent, was reached in 2013 while the maximum of 6.63 percent was recorded in 2021.

Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate) in Nigeria was reported at 5.449 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Nigeria - Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on October of 2025.

Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) in Nigeria was reported at 4 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Nigeria - Unemployment, female - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on October of 2025.

Nigeria: Unemployment rate for males: The latest value from 2024 is 2.04 percent, a decline from 2.1 percent in 2023. In comparison, the world average is 6.29 percent, based on data from 176 countries. Historically, the average for Nigeria from 1991 to 2024 is 4.01 percent. The minimum value, 2.04 percent, was reached in 2024 while the maximum of 5.47 percent was recorded in 2019.

Nigeria Unemployment Rate: Female data was reported at 5.100 % in Jun 2024. This records a decrease from the previous number of 6.200 % for Mar 2024. Nigeria Unemployment Rate: Female data is updated quarterly, averaging 6.000 % from Dec 2022 (Median) to Jun 2024, with 7 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6.600 % in Dec 2022 and a record low of 5.000 % in Jun 2023. Nigeria Unemployment Rate: Female 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.

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

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.

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

View yearly updates and historical trends for Nigeria Unemployment Rate. Source: World Bank. Track economic data with YCharts analytics.

The unemployment rate in Nigeria stands at 33.28 percent according to the latest data from . That reading shows an increase from the level of 27.11 percent in the previous quarter and an increase from the level of 21.8 percent in the same quarter of the previous year. The unemployment rate...

Nigeria Unemployment Rate: 15 to 24 Years data was reported at 6.500 % in Jun 2024. This records a decrease from the previous number of 8.400 % for Mar 2024. Nigeria Unemployment Rate: 15 to 24 Years data is updated quarterly, averaging 8.300 % from Dec 2022 (Median) to Jun 2024, with 7 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 10.100 % in Dec 2023 and a record low of 6.500 % in Jun 2024. Nigeria Unemployment Rate: 15 to 24 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.