Tanzania Unemployment Rate
Unemployment as % of total labor force SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
Tanzania's unemployment rate was 1.57% in 2025, ranked 12th globally. This represents a 1.0% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Tanzania's unemployment rate stood at 1.57% in 2025, a rise of +0.02pp from 2024. Tanzania ranked 12th globally.
Tanzania’s unemployment rate has fallen markedly over the 35‑year series, slipping from 3.60 % in 1991 to a trough of 1.56 % in 2024 and reaching 1.57 % in 2025, the twelfth‑lowest level among all World Bank reporting economies. The modest rise from the 2024 trough reflects only a 0.01‑point increase, suggesting a highly stable labor market after the all‑time peak of 3.89 % in 1993. Compared with peers of similar rank, Tanzania’s rate sits between Benin’s 1.59 % and Viet Nam’s 1.52 %, indicating that its labor market performance is broadly comparable to other low‑unemployment economies in the region. The sustained decline has been driven by demographic growth, expanding agricultural employment, and modest industrial diversification, while the slight uptick in 2025 may signal emerging structural adjustments. Continued investment in skills development and private‑sector expansion will be crucial to preserve the downward trajectory and prevent any reversal of the recent gains.
Data & projection
| Year | Unemployment Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1.57% | +0.02pp | #12 |
| 2024 | 1.56% | −0.01pp | #13 |
| 2023 | 1.57% | −0.01pp | #12 |
| 2022 | 1.57% | −0.30pp | #13 |
| 2021 | 1.88% | +0.08pp | #11 |
| 2020 | 1.79% | +0.06pp | #12 |
| 2019 | 1.74% | −0.06pp | #15 |
| 2018 | 1.79% | −0.06pp | #16 |
| 2017 | 1.85% | −0.08pp | #14 |
| 2016 | 1.93% | −0.08pp | #16 |
| 2015 | 2.01% | −0.12pp | #18 |
| 2014 | 2.13% | −0.81pp | #22 |
| 2013 | 2.93% | −0.29pp | #29 |
| 2012 | 3.22% | −0.25pp | #32 |
| 2011 | 3.47% | +0.44pp | #39 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Tanzania matched the Orthodox Tightening Cycle pattern in 2012. Historically, 57% of countries showing this pattern (177 out of 311) saw unemployment rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Tanzania's unemployment rate was 1.57% in 2025. Ranked 12th globally. This represents a 1.0% increase from the previous year.
Tanzania's unemployment rate peaked at 3.89% in 1993.
The lowest unemployment rate in Tanzania was 1.56% in 2024.
Tanzania ranks 12th 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 Tanzania in 2025 was 1.57%. This ranks 12th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_tanzania_unemployment-rate,
title = {Tanzania Unemployment Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/tanzania/unemployment-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}