Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) in Zambia was reported at 5.961 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Zambia - Unemployment, total - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) (national estimate) in Zambia was reported at 6.037 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Zambia - Unemployment, female (national estimate) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Youth Unemployment Rate for Zambia (SLUEM1524ZSZMB) from 1991 to 2024 about Zambia, 15 to 24 years, unemployment, and rate.

Unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate) in Zambia was reported at 9.752 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Zambia - Unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Zambia ZM: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: % of Total Labour Force data was reported at 7.792 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 7.777 % for 2016. Zambia ZM: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: % of Total Labour Force data is updated yearly, averaging 11.402 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 19.700 % in 1993 and a record low of 7.750 % in 2015. Zambia ZM: 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 Zambia – Table ZM.World Bank: 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 November 2017.; 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.

Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (national estimate) in Zambia was reported at 5.861 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Zambia - Unemployment, total (national estimate) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Zambia ZM: Employment To Population Ratio: Modeled ILO Estimate: Aged 15-24: Female data was reported at 45.368 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 45.574 % for 2016. Zambia ZM: Employment To Population Ratio: Modeled ILO Estimate: Aged 15-24: Female data is updated yearly, averaging 47.034 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 53.961 % in 2005 and a record low of 40.129 % in 1993. Zambia ZM: Employment To Population Ratio: Modeled ILO Estimate: Aged 15-24: Female data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Zambia – Table ZM.World Bank.WDI: Employment and Unemployment. Employment to population ratio is the proportion of a country's population that is employed. Employment is defined as persons of working age who, during a short reference period, were engaged in any activity to produce goods or provide services for pay or profit, whether at work during the reference period (i.e. who worked in a job for at least one hour) or not at work due to temporary absence from a job, or to working-time arrangements. Ages 15-24 are generally considered the youth population.; ; 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.

The unemployment rate in Zambia saw no significant changes in 2024 in comparison to the previous year 2023 and remained at around 5.96 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 Djibouti and Malawi.

Zambia ZM: Employment To Population Ratio: Modeled ILO Estimate: Aged 15+: Female data was reported at 64.276 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 64.258 % for 2016. Zambia ZM: Employment To Population Ratio: Modeled ILO Estimate: Aged 15+: Female data is updated yearly, averaging 64.150 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 66.347 % in 2005 and a record low of 58.341 % in 1993. Zambia ZM: Employment To Population Ratio: Modeled ILO Estimate: Aged 15+: Female data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Zambia – Table ZM.World Bank: Employment and Unemployment. Employment to population ratio is the proportion of a country's population that is employed. Employment is defined as persons of working age who, during a short reference period, were engaged in any activity to produce goods or provide services for pay or profit, whether at work during the reference period (i.e. who worked in a job for at least one hour) or not at work due to temporary absence from a job, or to working-time arrangements. Ages 15 and older are generally considered the working-age population.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in November 2017.; 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.

Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) (national estimate) in Zambia was reported at 5.71 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Zambia - Unemployment, male (national estimate) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Zambia ZM: Employment To Population Ratio: Modeled ILO Estimate: Aged 15+ data was reported at 68.974 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 69.025 % for 2016. Zambia ZM: Employment To Population Ratio: Modeled ILO Estimate: Aged 15+ data is updated yearly, averaging 69.135 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 71.633 % in 2008 and a record low of 63.820 % in 1993. Zambia ZM: Employment To Population Ratio: Modeled ILO Estimate: Aged 15+ data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Zambia – Table ZM.World Bank.WDI: Employment and Unemployment. Employment to population ratio is the proportion of a country's population that is employed. Employment is defined as persons of working age who, during a short reference period, were engaged in any activity to produce goods or provide services for pay or profit, whether at work during the reference period (i.e. who worked in a job for at least one hour) or not at work due to temporary absence from a job, or to working-time arrangements. Ages 15 and older are generally considered the working-age population.; ; 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.

Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate) in Zambia was reported at 10.24 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Zambia - Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Zambia ZM: Employment To Population Ratio: Modeled ILO Estimate: Aged 15+: Male data was reported at 73.862 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 73.986 % for 2016. Zambia ZM: Employment To Population Ratio: Modeled ILO Estimate: Aged 15+: Male data is updated yearly, averaging 74.244 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 77.432 % in 2008 and a record low of 69.553 % in 1993. Zambia ZM: Employment To Population Ratio: Modeled ILO Estimate: Aged 15+: Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Zambia – Table ZM.World Bank: Employment and Unemployment. Employment to population ratio is the proportion of a country's population that is employed. Employment is defined as persons of working age who, during a short reference period, were engaged in any activity to produce goods or provide services for pay or profit, whether at work during the reference period (i.e. who worked in a job for at least one hour) or not at work due to temporary absence from a job, or to working-time arrangements. Ages 15 and older are generally considered the working-age population.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in November 2017.; 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 nation's population and its characteristics are part of developmental dynamics. It is therefore essential to measure these characteristics, and to monitor changes in them overtime. To effectively achieve the monitoring process, the Government of the Republic of Zambia initiated the Labour Force Survey (LFS) firstly in 1986. In an effort to continue monitoring, the Government of the Republic of Zambia embarked on a second Labour Force Survey in November 2005.

The purpose of the survey is to Identify and analyse the factors leading to emergence and growth of Labour Force in Zambia and also to Monitor the Key Indicators of Labour Market. This includes monitoring of Employment rates, Unemployment rates, inactivity rates e.t.c.

The specific objectives are to produce comprehensive statistical data on the activities of labour force, time use and information communication, to monitor the impact of government policies and donor support on the Labour Market Indicators in Zambia and also to Monitor the World summit for Children goals. This includes monitoring Child labour encompassing education and health, to Provide various users with a set of reliable labour market and sociol economic indicators against which to monitor development.

However, the survey is not a fully-fledged survey on any of the topics covered. It is concerned with information necessary to monitor the Key Indicators of the Labour Market.

Furthermore, the survey seeks to assess the extent and magnitude of Labour Force in Zambia. Identifying major parameters, priority groups and patterns, extent and determinants of Children's economic activities, conditions and effects of such activities will be the focus of this survey.

The content of the survey are Orphanhood, Education and School attendance, Economic activity,Health and Safety issues,Child Labour, Time Use, Information and Communication Technology,and Household Socio-economic Status

Geographic coverage

The LFS was a nationwide survey covering household population in all the nine (9) provinces both rural and urban areas. The survey excluded institutional populations such as those in hospitals, Barracks or refugee camps.

Analysis unit

Households and Individuals ( Men and Women of 5 years and above).

Universe

The sample frame of this survey was the list of SEAs developed from the 2000 Population Census.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

The total sample of 8,000 households was first allocated between rural, urban and the provincial domains in proportion to the population of each domain according to the 2000 census results. The proportional allocation does not however allow for reliable estimates for smaller domains e.g A constituency, ward level etc. Adjustments to the proportional allocation of the sample were made to allow for reasonable comparison to be achieved between strata or domains. Therefore disproportionate allocation was adopted, for the purpose of maximizing the precision of survey estimates. The disproportionate allocation is based on the square root method designed by Leslie Kish. The sample was then selected using a stratified two-stage cluster design.

Sampling deviation

There was no deviation from sample design.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

Two types of questionnaires were used in the survey. These were:-

The Listing Booklet - Used for listing all the households residing in the selected Standard Enumeration Areas (SEAs). This questionnaire was administered to all the households in SEA. The main objectives were to establish whether the houshold had children aged 5 to 17 years who are working for pay or for profit.

The Main questionnaire - Used for collecting detailed information on all household members. This questionnaire was administered to each selected household which collected various information on household members. The information included background information, education, economic activities,employment and unnemployment,Information Communication Technology, Health and safety issues, time use, Household socio-economic status and economic activities for children.

The questionnaires were published in english (UK).

The structure of the labour force questionnaire which was used was adopted from ILO and then customised to meet the Zambian standards.The questionnaires were subjected to scrutiny by stakeholders such as ILO, World bank, employers institutions, workers unions, etc and comments were incorporated accordingly.

Cleaning operations

Data editing took place at a number of stages throughout the processing. These included:

1. Field editing
2. Office editing and coding
3. During data entry
4. Structure checking and completeness
5. Secondary editing
6. strucural checking of SAS data files

Response rate

During the survey, 8 000 households were selected of which 7,886 were occupied and therefore were eligible for interviews. The overall response rate of households was 98.5 percent. Out of 5,440 households in rural areas, 99.4 percent were successfully interviewed and out of 2, 446 households in urban areas, 96.9 percent were succefully interviewed.

Zambia ZM: Unemployment with Intermediate Education: Female: % of Female Labour Force data was reported at 20.828 % in 2017. Zambia ZM: Unemployment with Intermediate Education: Female: % of Female Labour Force data is updated yearly, averaging 20.828 % from Dec 2017 (Median) to 2017, with 1 observations. Zambia ZM: Unemployment with Intermediate 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 Zambia – Table ZM.World Bank.WDI: Employment and Unemployment. The percentage of the labor force with an intermediate level of education who are unemployed. Intermediate education comprises upper secondary or post-secondary non tertiary education according to the International Standard Classification of Education 2011 (ISCED 2011).; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in March 2019.; Weighted average;

Zambia ZM: Unemployment with Intermediate Education: Male: % of Male Labour Force data was reported at 11.329 % in 2017. Zambia ZM: Unemployment with Intermediate Education: Male: % of Male Labour Force data is updated yearly, averaging 11.329 % from Dec 2017 (Median) to 2017, with 1 observations. Zambia ZM: Unemployment with Intermediate 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 Zambia – Table ZM.World Bank.WDI: Employment and Unemployment. The percentage of the labor force with an intermediate level of education who are unemployed. Intermediate education comprises upper secondary or post-secondary non tertiary education according to the International Standard Classification of Education 2011 (ISCED 2011).; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in March 2019.; Weighted average;

Zambia ZM: Unemployment with Intermediate Education: % of Total Labour Force data was reported at 14.104 % in 2017. Zambia ZM: Unemployment with Intermediate Education: % of Total Labour Force data is updated yearly, averaging 14.104 % from Dec 2017 (Median) to 2017, with 1 observations. Zambia ZM: Unemployment with Intermediate 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 Zambia – Table ZM.World Bank.WDI: Employment and Unemployment. The percentage of the labor force with an intermediate level of education who are unemployed. Intermediate education comprises upper secondary or post-secondary non tertiary education according to the International Standard Classification of Education 2011 (ISCED 2011).; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in March 2019.; Weighted average;

Zambia ZM: Employment To Population Ratio: Modeled ILO Estimate: Aged 15-24: Male data was reported at 47.580 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 47.877 % for 2016. Zambia ZM: Employment To Population Ratio: Modeled ILO Estimate: Aged 15-24: Male data is updated yearly, averaging 51.061 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 57.909 % in 2005 and a record low of 45.162 % in 1993. Zambia ZM: Employment To Population Ratio: Modeled ILO Estimate: Aged 15-24: Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Zambia – Table ZM.World Bank: Employment and Unemployment. Employment to population ratio is the proportion of a country's population that is employed. Employment is defined as persons of working age who, during a short reference period, were engaged in any activity to produce goods or provide services for pay or profit, whether at work during the reference period (i.e. who worked in a job for at least one hour) or not at work due to temporary absence from a job, or to working-time arrangements. Ages 15-24 are generally considered the youth population.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in November 2017.; 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.

Zambia ZM: Vulnerable Employment: Modeled ILO Estimate: % of Total Employment data was reported at 77.589 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 77.618 % for 2016. Zambia ZM: Vulnerable Employment: Modeled ILO Estimate: % of Total Employment data is updated yearly, averaging 81.654 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 82.864 % in 1995 and a record low of 77.589 % in 2017. Zambia ZM: Vulnerable Employment: Modeled ILO Estimate: % of Total Employment data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Zambia – Table ZM.World Bank: Employment and Unemployment. Vulnerable employment is contributing family workers and own-account workers as a percentage of total employment.; ; Derived using data from International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in November 2017.; Weighted average; Data up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections.

Zambia ZM: Unemployment with Advance Education: % of Total Labour Force data was reported at 7.025 % in 2017. Zambia ZM: Unemployment with Advance Education: % of Total Labour Force data is updated yearly, averaging 7.025 % from Dec 2017 (Median) to 2017, with 1 observations. Zambia ZM: 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 Zambia – Table ZM.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 March 2019.; Weighted average;