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Eritrea · Employment & wages

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

19 indicators · 11 with data

Unemployment

Unemployment

% of labour force

113th of 185 · 27th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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UnemploymentEritrea's unemployment rose from 5.3 % in 1996 to 6.0 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020256%6%7%6.0 %

Eritrea's unemployment rose from 5.3 % in 1996 to 6.0 % in 2025.

Youth unemployment

% of labour force ages 15–24

75th of 183 · 26th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Youth unemploymentEritrea's youth unemployment rose from 9.8 % in 1996 to 10.2 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202510%10%11%11%12%10.2 %

Eritrea's youth unemployment rose from 9.8 % in 1996 to 10.2 % in 2025.

Participation

Participation

% of population ages 15+

13th of 182 · 7th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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ParticipationEritrea's participation fell from 80.2 % in 1996 to 78.3 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202577%78%79%80%81%78.3 %

Eritrea's participation fell from 80.2 % in 1996 to 78.3 % in 2025.

Labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+)

% of female population ages 15+

12th of 182 · 8th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+)Eritrea's labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+) fell from 74.3 % in 1996 to 72.8 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202572%73%74%72.8 %

Eritrea's labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+) fell from 74.3 % in 1996 to 72.8 % in 2025.

Employment

Employment to population ratio (ages 15+)

% of population ages 15+

15th of 182 · 9th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Employment to population ratio (ages 15+)Eritrea's employment to population ratio (ages 15+) fell from 76.0 % in 1996 to 73.7 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202572%73%74%75%76%77%73.7 %

Eritrea's employment to population ratio (ages 15+) fell from 76.0 % in 1996 to 73.7 % in 2025.

Labour force, total

people

126th of 182 · 32nd in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Labour force, totalEritrea's labour force, total rose from 974,960 in 1996 to 1.76M in 2025.200020052010201520202025800k1M1.2M1.4M1.6M1.8M2M1.76M

Eritrea's labour force, total rose from 974,960 in 1996 to 1.76M in 2025.

Self-employed (% of total employment)

% of employment

54th of 182 · 33rd in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Self-employed (% of total employment)Eritrea's self-employed (% of total employment) fell from 54.7 % in 1996 to 52.4 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202552%53%54%55%52.4 %

Eritrea's self-employed (% of total employment) fell from 54.7 % in 1996 to 52.4 % in 2025.

Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)

% of employment

128th of 182 · 13th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)Eritrea's vulnerable employment (% of total employment) fell from 50.2 % in 1996 to 47.9 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202548%49%50%47.9 %

Eritrea's vulnerable employment (% of total employment) fell from 50.2 % in 1996 to 47.9 % in 2025.

Structure

Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)

% of employment

15th of 182 · 14th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)Eritrea's employment in agriculture (% of total employment) rose from 55.4 % in 1996 to 55.5 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202554%56%58%55.5 %

Eritrea's employment in agriculture (% of total employment) rose from 55.4 % in 1996 to 55.5 % in 2025.

Employment in industry (% of total employment)

% of employment

150th of 182 · 26th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Employment in industry (% of total employment)Eritrea's employment in industry (% of total employment) fell from 12.9 % in 1996 to 12.7 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202512%13%13%13%13%12.7 %

Eritrea's employment in industry (% of total employment) fell from 12.9 % in 1996 to 12.7 % in 2025.

Employment in services (% of total employment)

% of employment

167th of 182 · 33rd in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Employment in services (% of total employment)Eritrea's employment in services (% of total employment) rose from 31.8 % in 1996 to 31.8 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202529%30%31%32%33%34%31.8 %

Eritrea's employment in services (% of total employment) rose from 31.8 % in 1996 to 31.8 % in 2025.

›No data available (8)

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

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