Afghanistan: Unemployment rate
* indicates monthly or quarterly data series
Afghanistan |
Unemployment rate |
---|---|
Latest value | 14.39 |
Year | 2023 |
Measure | percent |
Data availability | 1991 - 2023 |
Average | 8.95 |
Min - Max | 7.91 - 14.39 |
Source | The World Bank |
The latest value from 2023 is 14.39 percent, an increase from 14.1 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 6.99 percent, based on data from 178 countries. Historically, the average for Afghanistan from 1991 to 2023 is 8.95 percent. The minimum value, 7.91 percent, was reached in 2004 while the maximum of 14.39 percent was recorded in 2023.
See the global rankings for that indicator or
use the country comparator to compare trends over time.
Select indicator
* indicates monthly or quarterly data series
Recent data
Historical series
The unemployment rate in Afghanistan and other countries is defined as the number of unemployed people as percent of the labor force. The labor force includes the people who are either employed or unemployed, i.e. who don't have a job but are actively looking for one. The labor force does not include people who are not looking for work, children, and the retired.
The unemployment rate seldom declines below 4-5 percent even during boom times. There are always people who move between different sectors of the economy or between cities. When the economy goes into recession, then unemployment can reach much higher numbers, sometimes even in the double digits.
The unemployment rate seldom declines below 4-5 percent even during boom times. There are always people who move between different sectors of the economy or between cities. When the economy goes into recession, then unemployment can reach much higher numbers, sometimes even in the double digits.
Definition: Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment.
Selected articles from our guide:
What factors determine the exchange rates
International lending and sovereign debt
All articles
Related indicators | Latest | Reference | Measure |
---|---|---|---|
Labor force | 8.92 | 2023 | million people |
Unemployment rate | 14.39 | 2023 | percent |
Female unemployment | 29.19 | 2023 | percent |
Male unemployment | 14.41 | 2023 | percent |
Youth unemployment | 19.80 | 2023 | percent |
Labor force participation | 36.95 | 2023 | percent |
Labor force: percent female | 6.54 | 2023 | percent |
Female labor force participation | 4.83 | 2023 | percent |
Male labor force participation | 69.12 | 2023 | percent |
Self-employment | 81.74 | 2022 | percent |