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Malawi · Employment & wages

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

19 indicators · 12 with data

Unemployment

Unemployment

% of labour force

92nd of 185 · 22nd in Sub-Saharan Africa
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UnemploymentMalawi's unemployment rose from 4.9 % in 1996 to 5.1 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020255%5%5%5%5%6%6%5.1 %

Malawi's unemployment rose from 4.9 % in 1996 to 5.1 % in 2025.

Youth unemployment

% of labour force ages 15–24

43rd of 183 · 20th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Youth unemploymentMalawi's youth unemployment rose from 6.7 % in 1996 to 6.9 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020256%7%7%8%8%6.9 %

Malawi's youth unemployment rose from 6.7 % in 1996 to 6.9 % in 2025.

Participation

Participation

% of population ages 15+

85th of 182 · 25th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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ParticipationMalawi's participation fell from 80.8 % in 1996 to 62.6 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202560%65%70%75%80%85%62.6 %

Malawi's participation fell from 80.8 % in 1996 to 62.6 % in 2025.

Labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+)

% of female population ages 15+

59th of 182 · 22nd in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+)Malawi's labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+) fell from 78.1 % in 1996 to 58.2 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202555%60%65%70%75%80%58.2 %

Malawi's labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+) fell from 78.1 % in 1996 to 58.2 % in 2025.

Employment

Employment to population ratio (ages 15+)

% of population ages 15+

78th of 182 · 22nd in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Employment to population ratio (ages 15+)Malawi's employment to population ratio (ages 15+) fell from 76.8 % in 1996 to 59.4 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202555%60%65%70%75%80%59.4 %

Malawi's employment to population ratio (ages 15+) fell from 76.8 % in 1996 to 59.4 % in 2025.

Labour force, total

people

61st of 182 · 17th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Labour force, totalMalawi's labour force, total rose from 4.51M in 1996 to 8.32M in 2025.2000200520102015202020254M5M6M7M8M9M8.32M

Malawi's labour force, total rose from 4.51M in 1996 to 8.32M in 2025.

Self-employed (% of total employment)

% of employment

43rd of 182 · 30th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Self-employed (% of total employment)Malawi's self-employed (% of total employment) fell from 64.8 % in 1996 to 61.3 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202561%62%63%64%65%61.3 %

Malawi's self-employed (% of total employment) fell from 64.8 % in 1996 to 61.3 % in 2025.

Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)

% of employment

143rd of 182 · 16th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)Malawi's vulnerable employment (% of total employment) fell from 63.6 % in 1996 to 59.9 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202559%60%61%62%63%64%59.9 %

Malawi's vulnerable employment (% of total employment) fell from 63.6 % in 1996 to 59.9 % in 2025.

Structure

Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)

% of employment

8th of 182 · 7th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)Malawi's employment in agriculture (% of total employment) fell from 71.6 % in 1996 to 65.0 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202562%64%66%68%70%72%74%65.0 %

Malawi's employment in agriculture (% of total employment) fell from 71.6 % in 1996 to 65.0 % in 2025.

Employment in industry (% of total employment)

% of employment

175th of 182 · 40th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Employment in industry (% of total employment)Malawi's employment in industry (% of total employment) fell from 7.6 % in 1996 to 7.3 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020257%7%7%8%8%8%7.3 %

Malawi's employment in industry (% of total employment) fell from 7.6 % in 1996 to 7.3 % in 2025.

Employment in services (% of total employment)

% of employment

173rd of 182 · 38th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Employment in services (% of total employment)Malawi's employment in services (% of total employment) rose from 20.8 % in 1996 to 27.7 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202520%22%24%26%28%30%27.7 %

Malawi's employment in services (% of total employment) rose from 20.8 % in 1996 to 27.7 % in 2025.

Productivity

GDP per person employed (constant 2021 PPP $)

constant 2021 PPP $

161st of 168 · 38th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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GDP per person employed (constant 2021 PPP $)Malawi's gdp per person employed (constant 2021 ppp $) rose from intl $2,902 in 1996 to intl $4,563 in 2025.200020052010201520202025intl $3kintl $4kintl $5kintl $4,563

Malawi's gdp per person employed (constant 2021 ppp $) rose from intl $2,902 in 1996 to intl $4,563 in 2025.

›No data available (7)

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

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