Pakistan Unemployment Rate
Unemployment as % of total labor force SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
Pakistan's unemployment rate was 5.42% in 2025, ranked 98th globally. This represents a 34.3% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1983–2025.
Overview
Pakistan's unemployment rate stood at 5.42% in 2025, a decline of +2.83pp from 2024. The IMF projects 8.00% by 2025. Pakistan ranked 98th globally.
Pakistan's unemployment rate has exhibited considerable volatility over the past four decades. At 5.42% in 2025, the country ranks #98 globally, according to World Bank data. This rate is significantly higher than the all-time trough of 0.40% in 2007, which suggests a substantial increase in unemployment over the years. The unemployment rate peaked at 6.34% in 2021, showing a persistent trend of rising unemployment. In comparison, the Slovak Republic, a peer country, has a slightly lower unemployment rate of 5.36%. The high unemployment rate in Pakistan can be attributed to various factors, including a rapidly growing workforce, limited job opportunities, and a struggling economy. To address this issue, the government must implement effective policies, such as investing in education and vocational training, to improve labor market outcomes and potentially reduce the unemployment rate.
Data & projection
| Year | Unemployment Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | 5.00% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | 5.00% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | 6.00% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | 6.75% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | 7.50% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | 8.00% | - | - |
| 2025 | 5.42% | −2.83pp | #98 |
| 2024 | 5.49% | −3.01pp | #107 |
| 2023 | 5.24% | −0.96pp | #97 |
| 2022 | 5.29% | −1.01pp | #97 |
| 2021 | 6.34% | −0.22pp | #101 |
| 2020 | 5.99% | −0.91pp | #89 |
| 2019 | 4.83% | −0.97pp | #85 |
| 2018 | 4.08% | −1.75pp | #65 |
| 2017 | 3.20% | −2.68pp | #35 |
| 2016 | 2.29% | −3.62pp | #22 |
| 2015 | 3.57% | −2.43pp | #44 |
| 2014 | 1.83% | −4.15pp | #16 |
| 2013 | 2.95% | −3.00pp | #30 |
| 2012 | 3.67% | −2.28pp | #43 |
| 2011 | 0.80% | −4.75pp | #6 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Pakistan 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
Pakistan's unemployment rate was 5.42% in 2025. Ranked 98th globally. This represents a 34.3% decrease from the previous year.
Pakistan's unemployment rate peaked at 6.34% in 2021.
The lowest unemployment rate in Pakistan was 0.40% in 2007.
Pakistan ranks 98th globally in unemployment rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Pakistan's unemployment rate is projected to reach 8.00% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The unemployment rate of Pakistan in 2025 was 5.42%. This ranks 98th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_pakistan_unemployment-rate,
title = {Pakistan Unemployment Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/pakistan/unemployment-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}