How does Botswana rank globally on Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate)?

In 2025, Botswana ranked #4 out of 182 countries reporting Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate).

Botswana: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate)

Name: Botswana: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate)
Creator: World Bank
License: https://datacatalog.worldbank.org/public-licenses#cc-by

In 2025, Botswana's Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) was 24.48.

That's up 2.8% from 2024, the highest value on record.

The global average for this indicator in 2025 was 6.73 . Botswana ranks #4 globally out of 182 reporting countries. Within Sub-Saharan Africa, it ranks #3 of 45.

Source: World Bank Open Data (SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS) • Data as of 2025

Trend (2006–2025)

2008 · Global financial crisis
2020 · COVID-19 pandemic

Highlights

Peak: 24.48; 2025
Trough: 16.17; 2009
1-year change: +2.8%
5-year change: +16.5%; +3.1% / yr
10-year change: +29.4%; +2.6% / yr

Historical Data — Last 10 Years

Year	Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate)
2025	24.4770
2024	23.8100
2023	23.3810
2022	23.6150
2021	23.1060
2020	21.0170
2019	20.0940
2018	19.6650
2017	19.6710
2016	19.3280

About Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate)

Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment.

Indicator code: SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS • Category: Labor & Business

Frequently asked questions

What was Botswana's Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) in 2025?: In 2025, Botswana's Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) was 24.48, according to World Bank Open Data.
Is Botswana's Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) rising or falling?: Botswana's Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) rose 2.8% from 2024 to 2025.
How does Botswana rank globally on Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate)?: In 2025, Botswana ranked #4 out of 182 countries reporting Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate).
How does Botswana's Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) compare to the world average?: The global average for Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) in 2025 was 6.73, so Botswana is above the world average. Within Sub-Saharan Africa, it ranks #3 of 45.
What is Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) and how is it measured?: Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment.

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Source: World Bank Open Data (SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS), CC BY 4.0.