Unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates in Ethiopia
Ethiopia: Unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates was 3.9% in 2021. ▲ Rising
Unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates in Ethiopia, 1984–2021
Source: Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates in Ethiopia is 3.9%, measured in 2021. That is the highest value across all 6 years on record.
That represents a change of up 74.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates in Ethiopia peaked at 3.9% in 2021 and was at its lowest, 1.2%, in 1984.
That places Ethiopia 125th out of 185 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the middle of the range.
Unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates in Ethiopia, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 1.2% | — |
| 1994 | 3.1% | +158.3% |
| 1999 | 3.7% | +19.8% |
| 2005 | 2.5% | -32.8% |
| 2013 | 2.3% | -9.9% |
| 2021 | 3.9% | +74.8% |
Ethiopia compared with similar countries
- Ethiopia's 3.9% is below the median for low income countries, which is 5.5%, 71% of the median. (14 countries reporting)
- Ethiopia's 3.9% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 5.6%, 70% of the median. (33 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 1.2% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 1 |
| 1990s | 3.4% | 3.1% | 3.7% | 2 |
| 2000s | 2.5% | 2.5% | 2.5% | 1 |
| 2010s | 2.3% | 2.3% | 2.3% | 1 |
| 2020s | 3.9% | 3.9% | 3.9% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Ethiopia
- 122 Faroe Islands 4.0% compare
- 123 Trinidad and Tobago 4.0% compare
- 124 Ghana 4.0% compare
- 126 Malaysia 3.9% compare
- 126 Netherlands 3.9% compare
- 126 Slovenia 3.9% compare
More reference data data for Ethiopia
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.6564 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 20.69 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 25.11 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 1.37 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 25.11 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 2.2 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 1.1 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 100.94 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 121.79 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 7.47 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates in Ethiopia?
- Unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates in Ethiopia was 3.9% in 2021, according to Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates recorded in Ethiopia?
- The highest recorded value was 3.9% in 2021.
- What is the lowest unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates recorded in Ethiopia?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.2% in 1984.
- How does Ethiopia rank for unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates?
- Ethiopia ranks 125th out of 185 countries with data for 2021.
- Is unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates rising or falling in Ethiopia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 74.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Ethiopia data come from?
- The figures come from Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 6 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Share of the labor force without work, but actively looking for a job and available to start soon. Figures refer to national estimates and may not be fully comparable across countries.