Cameroon Unemployment Rate
Unemployment as % of total labor force SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
Cameroon's unemployment rate was 3.60% in 2025, ranked 60th globally. This represents a 0.0% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Cameroon's unemployment rate stood at 3.60% in 2025, a decline of +0.00pp from 2024. Cameroon ranked 60th globally.
Cameroon’s unemployment rate has fallen dramatically over the 35‑year series, sliding from an 8.99 % level in 1991 to a World Bank‑reported 3.60 % in 2025, ranking it 60th lowest globally. The sharpest decline followed the all‑time trough of 3.06 % recorded in 2007, after a brief peak of 9.15 % in 1993, suggesting a sustained structural shift in the labour market. By contrast, peer economies such as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (3.54 %) and Iceland (3.62 %) now register unemployment rates only marginally lower, highlighting Cameroon’s convergence with advanced labour markets despite its lower per‑capita income. The long‑run downward trajectory reflects expanding informal employment, modest growth in services, and demographic pressures that have absorbed new entrants. Continued investment in vocational training and formal sector creation will be crucial to prevent a reversal, as any slowdown in these reforms could stall the declining trend and raise the unemployment rate again.
Data & projection
| Year | Unemployment Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3.60% | −0.00pp | #60 |
| 2024 | 3.60% | −0.00pp | #63 |
| 2023 | 3.61% | −0.04pp | #65 |
| 2022 | 3.65% | −0.33pp | #55 |
| 2021 | 3.98% | +0.10pp | #46 |
| 2020 | 3.88% | +0.25pp | #41 |
| 2019 | 3.63% | +0.02pp | #54 |
| 2018 | 3.61% | +0.04pp | #50 |
| 2017 | 3.57% | +0.04pp | #46 |
| 2016 | 3.53% | +0.01pp | #43 |
| 2015 | 3.52% | −0.02pp | #41 |
| 2014 | 3.53% | −0.15pp | #44 |
| 2013 | 3.69% | −0.15pp | #48 |
| 2012 | 3.84% | −0.15pp | #52 |
| 2011 | 3.99% | −0.12pp | #52 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Cameroon matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2007. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw unemployment rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Cameroon's unemployment rate was 3.60% in 2025. Ranked 60th globally. This represents a 0.0% decrease from the previous year.
Cameroon's unemployment rate peaked at 9.15% in 1993.
The lowest unemployment rate in Cameroon was 3.06% in 2007.
Cameroon ranks 60th globally in unemployment rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
The unemployment rate of Cameroon in 2025 was 3.60%. This ranks 60th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_cameroon_unemployment-rate,
title = {Cameroon Unemployment Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/cameroon/unemployment-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}