The unemployment rate in Zimbabwe decreased by 0.2 percentage points (-2.28 percent) compared to the previous year. Nevertheless, the last two years recorded a significantly higher unemployment rate than the preceding years.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 Tanzania and Malawi.

Zimbabwe ZW: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: Youth: % of Total Labour Force Aged 15-24 data was reported at 11.386 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 11.414 % for 2016. Zimbabwe ZW: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: Youth: % of Total Labour Force Aged 15-24 data is updated yearly, averaging 11.355 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 16.336 % in 1997 and a record low of 7.397 % in 2004. Zimbabwe ZW: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: Youth: % of Total 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 Zimbabwe – Table ZW.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.; ; 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.

Zimbabwe ZW: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: % of Total Labour Force data was reported at 5.159 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 5.180 % for 2016. Zimbabwe ZW: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: % of Total Labour Force data is updated yearly, averaging 5.180 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6.930 % in 1997 and a record low of 4.390 % in 2004. Zimbabwe ZW: 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 Zimbabwe – Table ZW.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.

The statistic shows the seasonally adjusted youth unemployment rate in EU member states as of November 2024. The source defines youth unemployment as unemployment of those younger than 25 years. In November 2024, the seasonally adjusted youth unemployment rate in Spain was at 26.6 percent. Youth unemployment rate in EU member states Unemployment is a crucial economic factor for a country; youth unemployment is often examined separately because it tends to be higher than unemployment in older age groups. It comprises the unemployment figures of a country’s labor force aged 15 to 24 years old (i.e. the earliest point at which mandatory school education ends). Typically, teenagers and those in their twenties who are fresh out of education do not find jobs right away, especially if the country’s economy is experiencing difficulties, as can be seen above. Additionally, it also tends to be higher in emerging markets than in industrialized nations. Worldwide, youth unemployment figures have not changed significantly over the last decade, nor are they expected to improve in the next few years. Youth unemployment is most prevalent in the Middle East and North Africa, even though these regions report high unemployment figures regardless (Zimbabwe and Turkmenistan are among the countries with the highest unemployment rates in the world, for example), and are also highly populated areas with a rather weak infrastructure, compared to industrialized regions. In the European Union and the euro area, unemployment in general has been on the rise since 2008, which is due to the economic crisis which caused bankruptcy and financial trouble for many employers, and thus led to considerable job loss, less job offerings, and consequently, to a rise of the unemployment rate. Older workers are struggling to find new jobs despite their experience, and young graduates are struggling to find new jobs, because they have none. All in all, the number of unemployed persons worldwide is projected to rise, this is not down to the economic crisis alone, but also the industrial automation of processes previously performed by workers, as well as rising population figures.

Zimbabwe ZW: Employment In Industry: Modeled ILO Estimate: % of Total Employment data was reported at 7.408 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 7.382 % for 2016. Zimbabwe ZW: Employment In Industry: Modeled ILO Estimate: % of Total Employment data is updated yearly, averaging 10.437 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 16.295 % in 1992 and a record low of 7.275 % in 2015. Zimbabwe ZW: Employment In Industry: 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 Zimbabwe – Table ZW.World Bank.WDI: Employment and Unemployment. Employment is defined as persons of working age who were engaged in any activity to produce goods or provide services for pay or profit, whether at work during the reference period or not at work due to temporary absence from a job, or to working-time arrangement. The industry sector consists of mining and quarrying, manufacturing, construction, and public utilities (electricity, gas, and water), in accordance with divisions 2-5 (ISIC 2) or categories C-F (ISIC 3) or categories B-F (ISIC 4).; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in September 2018.; Weighted average; Data up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections.

Abstract

Since 2014, UNHCR has undertaken a comprehensive revision of the framework for monitoring UNHCR Livelihoods and Economic Inclusion programs. Since 2017, mobile data collection (survey) tools have been rolled out globally, including in Zimbabwe. The participating operations conducted a household survey to a sample of beneficiaries of each livelihoods project implemented by UNHCR and its partner. The dataset consists of baseline (103 observations) and endline data (89 observations) from the same sample beneficiaries, in order to compare before and after the project implementation and thus to measure the impact.

Geographic coverage

Harare Tongogara

Analysis unit

Household

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

The sample size for this dataset is: Baseline data : 103 Endline data : 89 Total : 192

The sampling was conducted by each participating operation based on general sampling guidance provided as the following;

• At least 100 randomly selected beneficiaries for each project
• Representativeness of sub-groups (gender, camp, etc.) should be kept as much as possible
• Baseline and endline beneficiaries should be the same

Sampling deviation

Some operations may deviate from the sampling guidance due to local constraints such as logistical and security obstacles.

Mode of data collection

Computer Assisted Personal Interview [capi]

Research instrument

The survey questionnaire used to collect the survey consists of five sections: Partner Information, General Information on Beneficiary, Access to Agricultural Production Enabled and Enhanced, Access to Self-Employment/ Business Facilitated, and Access to Wage Employment Facilitated.

Cleaning operations

The dataset presented here has undergone light checking, cleaning, harmonisation of localised information, and restructuring (data may still contain errors) as well as anonymization (includes removal of direct identifiers and sensitive variables, and grouping values of select variables). Empty values can occur for several reasons (e.g. no occurrence of agricultural interventions among the beneficiaries will result in empty variables for the agricultural module).

Response rate

Information not available

In 2023, South Africa had the highest unemployment rate in the world, at 32.1 percent. Of the 10 countries with the highest unemployment rates, six were in Sub-Saharan Africa. What exactly is unemployment? The unemployment rate is the number of people in the workforce currently looking for jobs but not working. This number does not include students and retirees, as they are not looking for work, nor does it include people who have given up on finding a job (known as discouraged workers). Comparing international unemployment rates can be problematic, however, as different countries use different methodologies when classifying unemployment. For example, Niger records the third lowest unemployment rate in the world, despite often being listed as the least developed country worldwide - this is because the majority of the population engage in subsistence farming, with very little opportunity for paid employment. Causes of unemployment in less developed countries A major driver in unemployment in these countries is conflict. In particular, internally displaced persons (IDPs) want to work, but moving to another part of the country disrupts their business network and moves them into a local economy with different labor demand. Countries with low levels of economic development, as roughly indicated by a low GDP per capita, often have fewer labor market opportunities, leading to high unemployment rates.

Zimbabwe ZW: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: Youth Female: % of Female Labour Force Aged 15-24 data was reported at 9.517 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 9.510 % for 2016. Zimbabwe ZW: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: Youth Female: % of Female Labour Force Aged 15-24 data is updated yearly, averaging 9.199 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 12.244 % in 1997 and a record low of 6.747 % in 1992. Zimbabwe ZW: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: Youth Female: % of Female 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 Zimbabwe – Table ZW.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.; ; 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.

Zimbabwe ZW: Employment To Population Ratio: Modeled ILO Estimate: Aged 15+: Female data was reported at 75.460 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 75.177 % for 2016. Zimbabwe ZW: Employment To Population Ratio: Modeled ILO Estimate: Aged 15+: Female data is updated yearly, averaging 72.854 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 75.460 % in 2017 and a record low of 61.245 % in 1999. Zimbabwe ZW: 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 Zimbabwe – Table ZW.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.

Zimbabwe ZW: Employment To Population Ratio: Modeled ILO Estimate: Aged 15+ data was reported at 79.395 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 79.107 % for 2016. Zimbabwe ZW: Employment To Population Ratio: Modeled ILO Estimate: Aged 15+ data is updated yearly, averaging 78.264 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 79.395 % in 2017 and a record low of 66.855 % in 1999. Zimbabwe ZW: 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 Zimbabwe – Table ZW.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.

Zimbabwe ZW: Unemployment with Basic Education: Male: % of Male Labour Force data was reported at 5.270 % in 2011. Zimbabwe ZW: Unemployment with Basic Education: Male: % of Male Labour Force data is updated yearly, averaging 5.270 % from Dec 2011 (Median) to 2011, with 1 observations. Zimbabwe ZW: Unemployment with Basic 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 Zimbabwe – Table ZW.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 November 2017.; Weighted Average;

Zimbabwe ZW: Employment In Services: Modeled ILO Estimate: Male: % of Male Employment data was reported at 23.529 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 24.418 % for 2016. Zimbabwe ZW: Employment In Services: Modeled ILO Estimate: Male: % of Male Employment data is updated yearly, averaging 25.076 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 30.287 % in 1999 and a record low of 17.625 % in 2008. Zimbabwe ZW: Employment In Services: Modeled ILO Estimate: Male: % of Male Employment data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Zimbabwe – Table ZW.World Bank.WDI: Employment and Unemployment. Employment is defined as persons of working age who were engaged in any activity to produce goods or provide services for pay or profit, whether at work during the reference period or not at work due to temporary absence from a job, or to working-time arrangement. The services sector consists of wholesale and retail trade and restaurants and hotels; transport, storage, and communications; financing, insurance, real estate, and business services; and community, social, and personal services, in accordance with divisions 6-9 (ISIC 2) or categories G-Q (ISIC 3) or categories G-U (ISIC 4).; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in September 2018.; Weighted average; Data up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections.

Zimbabwe ZW: Employment To Population Ratio: Modeled ILO Estimate: Aged 15-24 data was reported at 65.360 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 65.108 % for 2016. Zimbabwe ZW: Employment To Population Ratio: Modeled ILO Estimate: Aged 15-24 data is updated yearly, averaging 65.108 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 68.800 % in 2004 and a record low of 46.036 % in 1997. Zimbabwe ZW: Employment To Population Ratio: Modeled ILO Estimate: Aged 15-24 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Zimbabwe – Table ZW.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.

Zimbabwe ZW: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: Male: % of Male Labour Force data was reported at 6.353 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 6.441 % for 2016. Zimbabwe ZW: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: Male: % of Male Labour Force data is updated yearly, averaging 6.055 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8.733 % in 1997 and a record low of 4.309 % in 2004. Zimbabwe ZW: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: 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 Zimbabwe – Table ZW.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.

Zimbabwe ZW: Employment To Population Ratio: Modeled ILO Estimate: Aged 15-24: Female data was reported at 62.084 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 61.916 % for 2016. Zimbabwe ZW: Employment To Population Ratio: Modeled ILO Estimate: Aged 15-24: Female data is updated yearly, averaging 61.662 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 63.361 % in 2004 and a record low of 43.461 % in 1999. Zimbabwe ZW: 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 Zimbabwe – Table ZW.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.

Zimbabwe ZW: Employment In Agriculture: Modeled ILO Estimate: % of Total Employment data was reported at 68.455 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 67.430 % for 2016. Zimbabwe ZW: Employment In Agriculture: Modeled ILO Estimate: % of Total Employment data is updated yearly, averaging 65.991 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 73.669 % in 2008 and a record low of 57.389 % in 1992. Zimbabwe ZW: Employment In Agriculture: 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 Zimbabwe – Table ZW.World Bank.WDI: Employment and Unemployment. Employment is defined as persons of working age who were engaged in any activity to produce goods or provide services for pay or profit, whether at work during the reference period or not at work due to temporary absence from a job, or to working-time arrangement. The agriculture sector consists of activities in agriculture, hunting, forestry and fishing, in accordance with division 1 (ISIC 2) or categories A-B (ISIC 3) or category A (ISIC 4).; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in September 2018.; Weighted average; Data up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections.

Zimbabwe ZW: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: Female: % of Female Labour Force data was reported at 3.924 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 3.876 % for 2016. Zimbabwe ZW: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: Female: % of Female Labour Force data is updated yearly, averaging 4.460 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5.984 % in 2011 and a record low of 3.717 % in 1992. Zimbabwe ZW: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: 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 Zimbabwe – Table ZW.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.

Zimbabwe ZW: Employment To Population Ratio: Modeled ILO Estimate: Aged 15-24: Male data was reported at 68.671 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 68.343 % for 2016. Zimbabwe ZW: Employment To Population Ratio: Modeled ILO Estimate: Aged 15-24: Male data is updated yearly, averaging 68.447 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 74.354 % in 2004 and a record low of 46.712 % in 1997. Zimbabwe ZW: 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 Zimbabwe – Table ZW.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.

Zimbabwe ZW: Employment In Industry: Modeled ILO Estimate: Male: % of Male Employment data was reported at 12.412 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 12.465 % for 2016. Zimbabwe ZW: Employment In Industry: Modeled ILO Estimate: Male: % of Male Employment data is updated yearly, averaging 15.910 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 23.341 % in 1992 and a record low of 12.339 % in 2015. Zimbabwe ZW: Employment In Industry: Modeled ILO Estimate: Male: % of Male Employment data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Zimbabwe – Table ZW.World Bank.WDI: Employment and Unemployment. Employment is defined as persons of working age who were engaged in any activity to produce goods or provide services for pay or profit, whether at work during the reference period or not at work due to temporary absence from a job, or to working-time arrangement. The industry sector consists of mining and quarrying, manufacturing, construction, and public utilities (electricity, gas, and water), in accordance with divisions 2-5 (ISIC 2) or categories C-F (ISIC 3) or categories B-F (ISIC 4).; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in September 2018.; Weighted average; Data up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections.

Zimbabwe ZW: Coverage: Unemployment Benefits & Active Labour Market Programs: % of Population data was reported at 1.540 % in 2019. This records an increase from the previous number of 1.188 % for 2017. Zimbabwe ZW: Coverage: Unemployment Benefits & Active Labour Market Programs: % of Population data is updated yearly, averaging 1.364 % from Dec 2017 (Median) to 2019, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.540 % in 2019 and a record low of 1.188 % in 2017. Zimbabwe ZW: Coverage: Unemployment Benefits & Active Labour Market Programs: % of Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Zimbabwe – Table ZW.World Bank.WDI: Social Protection. Coverage of unemployment benefits and active labor market programs (ALMP) shows the percentage of population participating in unemployment compensation, severance pay, and early retirement due to labor market reasons, labor market services (intermediation), training (vocational, life skills, and cash for training), job rotation and job sharing, employment incentives and wage subsidies, supported employment and rehabilitation, and employment measures for the disabled. Estimates include both direct and indirect beneficiaries.; ; ASPIRE: The Atlas of Social Protection - Indicators of Resilience and Equity, The World Bank. Data are based on national representative household surveys. (datatopics.worldbank.org/aspire/); Simple average;