Nigeria Unemployment Rate
Unemployment as % of total labor force SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
Nigeria's unemployment rate was 3.06% in 2025, ranked 44th globally. This represents a 0.6% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Nigeria's unemployment rate stood at 3.06% in 2025, a rise of +0.02pp from 2024. Nigeria ranked 44th globally.
Nigeria’s unemployment rate has fallen steadily over the 35‑year span from 3.83 % in 1991 to a 2025 level of 3.06 %, placing the country 44th globally. The indicator peaked at 5.71 % in 2020 amid the pandemic‑related economic shock, then reached an all‑time trough of 3.04 % in 2024 before a slight uptick the following year. This downward trajectory mirrors modest improvements in comparable economies such as Myanmar, whose rate stands at 3.05 %, and Madagascar at 3.04 %, suggesting that structural reforms and demographic dynamics are exerting similar pressures across the region. While the recent rise to 3.06 % is marginal, continued investment in skills development, diversification away from oil dependence, and enhanced labour market policies will be crucial to sustain the declining trend and avoid a reversal toward higher unemployment levels.
Data & projection
| Year | Unemployment Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3.06% | +0.02pp | #44 |
| 2024 | 3.05% | −0.03pp | #43 |
| 2023 | 3.07% | −0.75pp | #46 |
| 2022 | 3.83% | −1.58pp | #62 |
| 2021 | 5.40% | −0.31pp | #85 |
| 2020 | 5.71% | +0.51pp | #84 |
| 2019 | 5.21% | −17.36pp | #96 |
| 2018 | 5.07% | −12.39pp | #89 |
| 2017 | 4.83% | −8.55pp | #78 |
| 2016 | 4.50% | −4.50pp | #63 |
| 2015 | 4.13% | −3.71pp | #54 |
| 2014 | 3.90% | −6.06pp | #49 |
| 2013 | 3.71% | −6.86pp | #50 |
| 2012 | 3.76% | −2.20pp | #50 |
| 2011 | 3.77% | −1.32pp | #48 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Nigeria matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw unemployment rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Nigeria's unemployment rate was 3.06% in 2025. Ranked 44th globally. This represents a 0.6% increase from the previous year.
Nigeria's unemployment rate peaked at 5.71% in 2020.
The lowest unemployment rate in Nigeria was 3.05% in 2024.
Nigeria ranks 44th 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 Nigeria in 2025 was 3.06%. This ranks 44th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_nigeria_unemployment-rate,
title = {Nigeria Unemployment Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/nigeria/unemployment-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}