Mali Unemployment Rate
Unemployment as % of total labor force SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
Mali's unemployment rate was 2.83% in 2025, ranked 35th globally. This represents a 3.2% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Mali's unemployment rate stood at 2.83% in 2025, a decline of +0.09pp from 2024. Mali ranked 35th globally.
Mali’s unemployment rate has risen modestly over the 35‑year series, moving from a low of 1.40 % in 1991 to a peak of 4.01 % in 2021 before easing to 2.83 % in 2025, placing the country 35th globally. The post‑2000 trough of 1.27 % in 2003 reflects a period of limited labor‑market formalisation, while the recent increase aligns with broader regional pressures on informal employment and demographic growth. Mali’s 2025 rate matches that of Czechia (2.83 %) and is close to Liberia (2.88 %) and Singapore (2.82 %), suggesting convergence with both developing and more diversified economies despite differing structural contexts. The modest decline from the 2021 peak indicates that policy measures aimed at expanding vocational training and agricultural productivity may be beginning to absorb new entrants to the labour force. Continued investment in job‑creating sectors and improved statistical coverage will be critical to sustain the downward trajectory and prevent a resurgence of higher unemployment levels.
Data & projection
| Year | Unemployment Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2.83% | −0.09pp | #35 |
| 2024 | 2.92% | −0.02pp | #40 |
| 2023 | 2.95% | +0.56pp | #37 |
| 2022 | 2.39% | −1.62pp | #22 |
| 2021 | 4.01% | +0.48pp | #47 |
| 2020 | 3.53% | +0.24pp | #37 |
| 2019 | 3.29% | +1.67pp | #44 |
| 2018 | 1.62% | +0.12pp | #13 |
| 2017 | 1.50% | +0.13pp | #10 |
| 2016 | 1.37% | −0.04pp | #10 |
| 2015 | 1.40% | −0.07pp | #9 |
| 2014 | 1.48% | −0.04pp | #12 |
| 2013 | 1.52% | +0.05pp | #12 |
| 2012 | 1.46% | +0.06pp | #11 |
| 2011 | 1.40% | +0.03pp | #12 |
Analysis
Mali's unemployment rate was 2.83% in 2025, a decline of −0.09pp from 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mali's unemployment rate was 2.83% in 2025. Ranked 35th globally. This represents a 3.2% decrease from the previous year.
Mali's unemployment rate peaked at 4.01% in 2021.
The lowest unemployment rate in Mali was 1.27% in 2003.
Mali ranks 35th 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 Mali in 2025 was 2.83%. This ranks 35th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_mali_unemployment-rate,
title = {Mali Unemployment Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/mali/unemployment-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}