Myanmar Unemployment Rate
Unemployment as % of total labor force SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
Myanmar's unemployment rate was 3.05% in 2025, ranked 43rd globally. This represents a 5.5% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Myanmar's unemployment rate stood at 3.05% in 2025, a rise of +0.16pp from 2024. Myanmar ranked 43rd globally.
Myanmar’s unemployment rate has risen modestly over the 35‑year span covered by World Bank data, moving from a low of 0.83 % in 1991 to a peak of 4.34 % in 2021 before easing to 0.41 % in 2019, the all‑time trough. The latest estimate for 2025 stands at 3.05 %, placing the country 43rd globally and closely aligning with peers such as Madagascar (3.04 %) and Saudi Arabia (3.04 %). The post‑peak decline suggests that labour market pressures eased after the 2021 high, yet the rate remains above the historic trough, reflecting persistent structural challenges and the lingering impact of political and economic disruptions. Continued reforms in education, investment climate and social protection could further lower unemployment, while any resurgence of instability or external shocks might reverse the modest downward trajectory observed since the 2021 peak.
Data & projection
| Year | Unemployment Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3.05% | +0.16pp | #43 |
| 2024 | 2.89% | −0.09pp | #38 |
| 2023 | 2.98% | −0.09pp | #39 |
| 2022 | 3.06% | −1.28pp | #39 |
| 2021 | 4.34% | +2.86pp | #52 |
| 2020 | 1.48% | +1.07pp | #8 |
| 2019 | 0.41% | −0.36pp | #3 |
| 2018 | 0.77% | −0.59pp | #6 |
| 2017 | 1.36% | +0.30pp | #9 |
| 2016 | 1.06% | +0.29pp | #6 |
| 2015 | 0.77% | +0.00pp | #6 |
| 2014 | 0.76% | −0.01pp | #6 |
| 2013 | 0.78% | +0.01pp | #5 |
| 2012 | 0.77% | +0.02pp | #5 |
| 2011 | 0.75% | +0.02pp | #5 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Myanmar matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2009. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw unemployment rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Myanmar's unemployment rate was 3.05% in 2025. Ranked 43rd globally. This represents a 5.5% increase from the previous year.
Myanmar's unemployment rate peaked at 4.34% in 2021.
The lowest unemployment rate in Myanmar was 0.41% in 2019.
Myanmar ranks 43rd 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 Myanmar in 2025 was 3.05%. This ranks 43rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_myanmar_unemployment-rate,
title = {Myanmar Unemployment Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/myanmar/unemployment-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}