Djibouti Unemployment Rate
Unemployment as % of total labor force SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
Djibouti's unemployment rate was 26.02% in 2025, ranked 179th globally. This represents a 0.0% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Djibouti's unemployment rate stood at 26.02% in 2025, a rise of +0.01pp from 2024. Djibouti ranked 179th globally.
Djibouti’s unemployment rate has remained remarkably stable over the 35‑year span covered by World Bank data, fluctuating within a narrow band around the mid‑20s. The latest estimate for 2025 stands at 26.02%, placing the country 179th in the global ranking and only marginally below its 1991 level of 26.12%. The all‑time peak of 27.70% occurred in 2020, a year marked by worldwide economic disruptions, while the trough of 25.98% was recorded in 2016, suggesting a modest improvement during a period of regional infrastructure investment. Compared with peers, Djibouti’s rate exceeds Botswana’s 24.48% but is considerably lower than South Africa’s 32.39%, highlighting divergent labour market dynamics in the Southern African region. Continued diversification of the port and logistics sector, coupled with targeted vocational training, could help lower the unemployment rate further, though any reversal of the recent modest upward drift will depend on sustained private‑sector growth.
Data & projection
| Year | Unemployment Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 26.02% | +0.01pp | #179 |
| 2024 | 26.01% | −0.07pp | #185 |
| 2023 | 26.07% | −0.20pp | #187 |
| 2022 | 26.27% | −1.36pp | #189 |
| 2021 | 27.63% | −0.07pp | #189 |
| 2020 | 27.70% | +1.44pp | #189 |
| 2019 | 26.26% | +0.08pp | #189 |
| 2018 | 26.18% | +0.12pp | #188 |
| 2017 | 26.06% | +0.08pp | #190 |
| 2016 | 25.98% | −0.08pp | #190 |
| 2015 | 26.06% | −0.10pp | #189 |
| 2014 | 26.16% | +0.01pp | #188 |
| 2013 | 26.15% | −0.03pp | #188 |
| 2012 | 26.18% | −0.13pp | #189 |
| 2011 | 26.31% | −0.06pp | #189 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Djibouti matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2019. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw unemployment rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Djibouti's unemployment rate was 26.02% in 2025. Ranked 179th globally. This represents a 0.0% increase from the previous year.
Djibouti's unemployment rate peaked at 27.70% in 2020.
The lowest unemployment rate in Djibouti was 25.98% in 2016.
Djibouti ranks 179th 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 Djibouti in 2025 was 26.02%. This ranks 179th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_djibouti_unemployment-rate,
title = {Djibouti Unemployment Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/djibouti/unemployment-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}