Gabon Unemployment Rate
Unemployment as % of total labor force SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
Gabon's unemployment rate was 20.15% in 2025, ranked 177th globally. This represents a 0.3% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Gabon's unemployment rate stood at 20.15% in 2025, a rise of +0.06pp from 2024. Gabon ranked 177th globally.
Gabon's unemployment rate has risen modestly since the early 1990s, moving from 17.22 % in 1991 to a peak of 21.28 % in 2020, before easing to 20.15 % in 2025, which places the country 177th globally. The all‑time trough of 16.91 % was recorded in 2005, reflecting a period of relatively stronger labor market performance amid higher commodity prices. Compared with regional peers, Gabon's rate remains slightly above the Republic of Congo’s 19.88 % and Namibia’s 19.29 %, yet below Botswana’s 24.48 % and Djibouti’s 26.02 %. The upward trajectory since the 2005 trough suggests persistent structural challenges, including limited diversification beyond oil and a mismatch between skill supply and emerging sectors. Continued investment in vocational training and the development of non‑extractive industries could moderate the upward pressure on unemployment, potentially reversing the recent rise and aligning Gabon's labor market more closely with its lower‑unemployment neighbours.
Data & projection
| Year | Unemployment Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 20.15% | +0.06pp | #177 |
| 2024 | 20.09% | −0.07pp | #183 |
| 2023 | 20.16% | −0.16pp | #185 |
| 2022 | 20.32% | −0.90pp | #185 |
| 2021 | 21.22% | −0.06pp | #185 |
| 2020 | 21.28% | +0.91pp | #185 |
| 2019 | 20.37% | −0.09pp | #186 |
| 2018 | 20.46% | +0.15pp | #185 |
| 2017 | 20.31% | +0.19pp | #182 |
| 2016 | 20.12% | +0.17pp | #182 |
| 2015 | 19.94% | +0.07pp | #180 |
| 2014 | 19.87% | +0.14pp | #182 |
| 2013 | 19.74% | +0.07pp | #180 |
| 2012 | 19.66% | −0.23pp | #181 |
| 2011 | 19.90% | −0.50pp | #183 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Gabon matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2013. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw unemployment rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Gabon's unemployment rate was 20.15% in 2025. Ranked 177th globally. This represents a 0.3% increase from the previous year.
Gabon's unemployment rate peaked at 21.28% in 2020.
The lowest unemployment rate in Gabon was 16.91% in 2005.
Gabon ranks 177th 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 Gabon in 2025 was 20.15%. This ranks 177th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_gabon_unemployment-rate,
title = {Gabon Unemployment Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/gabon/unemployment-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}