Samoa Unemployment Rate
Unemployment as % of total labor force SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
Samoa's unemployment rate was 5.00% in 2025, ranked 85th globally. This represents a 2.9% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Samoa's unemployment rate stood at 5.00% in 2025, a rise of +0.14pp from 2024. Samoa ranked 85th globally.
Samoa's unemployment rate has experienced significant fluctuations over the past 35 years. The lowest recorded rate was in 1991, at 2.10%, coinciding with the trough of 2.10% that occurred during the same year. This low rate marked a period of economic stability, contrasting with the recent trend. The unemployment rate rose substantially in 2017, peaking at 9.40% before gradually declining. In 2025, the unemployment rate stood at 5.00%, ranking #85 globally. This value is comparable to that of Croatia, which shares a similar ranking. The unemployment rate in Cyprus, at 4.92%, and Honduras, at 4.92%, were lower than Samoa's in 2025. Samoa's unemployment rate has seen a downward trend since its peak, but maintaining a low rate of economic growth and foreign investment could potentially impact this trajectory.
Data & projection
| Year | Unemployment Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5.00% | +0.14pp | #85 |
| 2024 | 4.86% | −0.06pp | #88 |
| 2023 | 4.92% | −0.13pp | #90 |
| 2022 | 5.05% | −1.62pp | #91 |
| 2021 | 6.66% | −0.80pp | #109 |
| 2020 | 7.47% | −0.39pp | #112 |
| 2019 | 7.86% | −0.79pp | #131 |
| 2018 | 8.65% | −0.75pp | #133 |
| 2017 | 9.40% | +0.34pp | #138 |
| 2016 | 9.06% | +0.16pp | #132 |
| 2015 | 8.90% | +0.18pp | #126 |
| 2014 | 8.72% | −0.05pp | #125 |
| 2013 | 8.77% | +0.02pp | #125 |
| 2012 | 8.75% | +3.07pp | #123 |
| 2011 | 5.68% | +0.06pp | #84 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Samoa 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
Samoa's unemployment rate was 5.00% in 2025. Ranked 85th globally. This represents a 2.9% increase from the previous year.
Samoa's unemployment rate peaked at 9.40% in 2017.
The lowest unemployment rate in Samoa was 2.10% in 1991.
Samoa ranks 85th 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 Samoa in 2025 was 5.00%. This ranks 85th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_samoa_unemployment-rate,
title = {Samoa Unemployment Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/samoa/unemployment-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}