Guinea-Bissau Unemployment Rate
Unemployment as % of total labor force SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
Guinea-Bissau's unemployment rate was 2.67% in 2025, ranked 27th globally. This represents a 1.0% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Guinea-Bissau's unemployment rate stood at 2.67% in 2025, a rise of +0.03pp from 2024. Guinea-Bissau ranked 27th globally.
Guinea‑Bissau’s unemployment rate has fallen to 2.67 % in 2025, placing the country 27th globally according to World Bank data. The indicator, measured over a 35‑year span, moved from an early‑period level of 3.01 % in 1991 to a peak of 3.36 % in 2000 before reaching its lowest point of 2.41 % in 2019. The recent decline reverses the modest rise observed around the turn of the millennium and brings the rate in line with peers such as Mexico (2.67 %) and Korea (2.68 %). Structural reforms in the informal sector and modest growth in services have contributed to the downward trajectory, while the country’s small formal labor market limits large fluctuations. Continued diversification of the economy and improved data collection could sustain the current decline, but any shock to primary commodity exports or fiscal tightening may reverse the trend.
Data & projection
| Year | Unemployment Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2.67% | +0.03pp | #27 |
| 2024 | 2.65% | +0.01pp | #29 |
| 2023 | 2.63% | −0.03pp | #27 |
| 2022 | 2.67% | −0.35pp | #27 |
| 2021 | 3.02% | +0.13pp | #27 |
| 2020 | 2.89% | +0.47pp | #24 |
| 2019 | 2.41% | −0.71pp | #27 |
| 2018 | 3.13% | +0.04pp | #36 |
| 2017 | 3.09% | −0.05pp | #33 |
| 2016 | 3.14% | −0.03pp | #35 |
| 2015 | 3.17% | −0.12pp | #35 |
| 2014 | 3.29% | +0.11pp | #37 |
| 2013 | 3.17% | +0.04pp | #35 |
| 2012 | 3.14% | +0.06pp | #31 |
| 2011 | 3.07% | −0.05pp | #29 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Guinea-Bissau matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2008. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw unemployment rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Guinea-Bissau's unemployment rate was 2.67% in 2025. Ranked 27th globally. This represents a 1.0% increase from the previous year.
Guinea-Bissau's unemployment rate peaked at 3.36% in 2000.
The lowest unemployment rate in Guinea-Bissau was 2.41% in 2019.
Guinea-Bissau ranks 27th 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 Guinea-Bissau in 2025 was 2.67%. This ranks 27th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_guinea-bissau_unemployment-rate,
title = {Guinea-Bissau Unemployment Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/guinea-bissau/unemployment-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}