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

In 2025, Namibia ranked #7 out of 182 countries reporting Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate).

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

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

In 2025, Namibia's Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) was 19.29.

That's up 0.7% from 2024, the highest value since 2022.

The global average for this indicator in 2025 was 6.73 . Namibia ranks #7 globally out of 182 reporting countries. Within Sub-Saharan Africa, it ranks #6 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: 23.35; 2016
Trough: 16.77; 2012
1-year change: +0.7%
5-year change: -8.2%; -1.7% / yr
10-year change: -7.2%; -0.7% / yr

Historical Data — Last 10 Years

Year	Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate)
2025	19.2910
2024	19.1570
2023	19.1540
2022	19.6150
2021	20.9310
2020	21.0030
2019	19.9290
2018	19.8770
2017	21.7480
2016	23.3520

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 Namibia's Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) in 2025?: In 2025, Namibia's Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) was 19.29, according to World Bank Open Data.
Is Namibia's Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) rising or falling?: Namibia's Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) rose 0.7% from 2024 to 2025.
How does Namibia rank globally on Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate)?: In 2025, Namibia ranked #7 out of 182 countries reporting Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate).
How does Namibia'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 Namibia is above the world average. Within Sub-Saharan Africa, it ranks #6 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.