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Benin · Employment & wages

Unemployment, participation, employment, youth, wages and hours.

19 indicators · 12 with data

Unemployment

Unemployment

% of labour force

14th of 185 · 5th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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UnemploymentBenin's unemployment rose from 1.2 % in 1996 to 1.6 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020250%1%2%3%1.6 %

Benin's unemployment rose from 1.2 % in 1996 to 1.6 % in 2025.

Youth unemployment

% of labour force ages 15–24

11th of 183 · 7th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Youth unemploymentBenin's youth unemployment rose from 1.4 % in 1996 to 2.9 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020250%2%4%6%2.9 %

Benin's youth unemployment rose from 1.4 % in 1996 to 2.9 % in 2025.

Participation

Participation

% of population ages 15+

16th of 182 · 10th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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ParticipationBenin's participation rose from 72.0 % in 1996 to 76.4 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202572%74%76%76.4 %

Benin's participation rose from 72.0 % in 1996 to 76.4 % in 2025.

Labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+)

% of female population ages 15+

10th of 182 · 7th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+)Benin's labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+) rose from 60.1 % in 1996 to 75.2 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202555%60%65%70%75%80%75.2 %

Benin's labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+) rose from 60.1 % in 1996 to 75.2 % in 2025.

Employment

Employment to population ratio (ages 15+)

% of population ages 15+

13th of 182 · 7th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Employment to population ratio (ages 15+)Benin's employment to population ratio (ages 15+) rose from 71.1 % in 1996 to 75.1 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202570%72%74%76%75.1 %

Benin's employment to population ratio (ages 15+) rose from 71.1 % in 1996 to 75.1 % in 2025.

Labour force, total

people

72nd of 182 · 21st in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Labour force, totalBenin's labour force, total rose from 2.49M in 1996 to 6.64M in 2025.2000200520102015202020252M3M4M5M6M7M6.64M

Benin's labour force, total rose from 2.49M in 1996 to 6.64M in 2025.

Self-employed (% of total employment)

% of employment

16th of 182 · 15th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Self-employed (% of total employment)Benin's self-employed (% of total employment) fell from 86.4 % in 1996 to 79.8 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202578%80%82%84%86%88%79.8 %

Benin's self-employed (% of total employment) fell from 86.4 % in 1996 to 79.8 % in 2025.

Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)

% of employment

169th of 182 · 33rd in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)Benin's vulnerable employment (% of total employment) fell from 85.6 % in 1996 to 78.5 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202578%80%82%84%86%88%78.5 %

Benin's vulnerable employment (% of total employment) fell from 85.6 % in 1996 to 78.5 % in 2025.

Structure

Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)

% of employment

39th of 182 · 26th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)Benin's employment in agriculture (% of total employment) fell from 45.8 % in 1996 to 40.2 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202538%40%42%44%46%48%40.2 %

Benin's employment in agriculture (% of total employment) fell from 45.8 % in 1996 to 40.2 % in 2025.

Employment in industry (% of total employment)

% of employment

100th of 182 · 12th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Employment in industry (% of total employment)Benin's employment in industry (% of total employment) fell from 20.7 % in 1996 to 18.3 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202516%18%20%18.3 %

Benin's employment in industry (% of total employment) fell from 20.7 % in 1996 to 18.3 % in 2025.

Employment in services (% of total employment)

% of employment

149th of 182 · 23rd in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Employment in services (% of total employment)Benin's employment in services (% of total employment) rose from 33.5 % in 1996 to 41.4 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202532%34%36%38%40%42%41.4 %

Benin's employment in services (% of total employment) rose from 33.5 % in 1996 to 41.4 % in 2025.

Productivity

GDP per person employed (constant 2021 PPP $)

constant 2021 PPP $

149th of 168 · 28th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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GDP per person employed (constant 2021 PPP $)Benin's gdp per person employed (constant 2021 ppp $) rose from intl $6,084 in 1996 to intl $9,326 in 2025.200020052010201520202025intl $5kintl $6kintl $7kintl $8kintl $9kintl $10kintl $9,326

Benin's gdp per person employed (constant 2021 ppp $) rose from intl $6,084 in 1996 to intl $9,326 in 2025.

›No data available (7)

These indicators exist in the registry but no source reports a value for Benin.

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