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Nigeria · Employment & wages

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

19 indicators · 12 with data

Unemployment

Unemployment

% of labour force

45th of 185 · 15th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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UnemploymentNigeria's unemployment fell from 4.0 % in 1996 to 3.1 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020253%4%5%6%3.1 %

Nigeria's unemployment fell from 4.0 % in 1996 to 3.1 % in 2025.

Youth unemployment

% of labour force ages 15–24

28th of 183 · 15th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Youth unemploymentNigeria's youth unemployment fell from 7.5 % in 1996 to 5.3 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020250%2%4%6%8%10%12%5.3 %

Nigeria's youth unemployment fell from 7.5 % in 1996 to 5.3 % in 2025.

Participation

Participation

% of population ages 15+

5th of 182 · 3rd in Sub-Saharan Africa
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ParticipationNigeria's participation fell from 83.9 % in 1996 to 82.5 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202580%82%84%82.5 %

Nigeria's participation fell from 83.9 % in 1996 to 82.5 % in 2025.

Labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+)

% of female population ages 15+

3rd of 182 · 2nd in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+)Nigeria's labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+) rose from 77.6 % in 1996 to 80.7 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202574%76%78%80%82%80.7 %

Nigeria's labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+) rose from 77.6 % in 1996 to 80.7 % in 2025.

Employment

Employment to population ratio (ages 15+)

% of population ages 15+

6th of 182 · 3rd in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Employment to population ratio (ages 15+)Nigeria's employment to population ratio (ages 15+) fell from 80.5 % in 1996 to 80.0 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202574%76%78%80%80.0 %

Nigeria's employment to population ratio (ages 15+) fell from 80.5 % in 1996 to 80.0 % in 2025.

Labour force, total

people

5th of 182 · 1st in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Labour force, totalNigeria's labour force, total rose from 53.2M in 1996 to 117M in 2025.20002005201020152020202540M60M80M100M120M140M117M

Nigeria's labour force, total rose from 53.2M in 1996 to 117M in 2025.

Self-employed (% of total employment)

% of employment

5th of 182 · 5th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Self-employed (% of total employment)Nigeria's self-employed (% of total employment) fell from 94.7 % in 1996 to 86.2 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202584%86%88%90%92%94%96%86.2 %

Nigeria's self-employed (% of total employment) fell from 94.7 % in 1996 to 86.2 % in 2025.

Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)

% of employment

151st of 182 · 22nd in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)Nigeria's vulnerable employment (% of total employment) fell from 74.3 % in 1996 to 66.5 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202566%68%70%72%74%76%66.5 %

Nigeria's vulnerable employment (% of total employment) fell from 74.3 % in 1996 to 66.5 % in 2025.

Structure

Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)

% of employment

50th of 182 · 32nd in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)Nigeria's employment in agriculture (% of total employment) fell from 53.6 % in 1996 to 33.5 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202530%35%40%45%50%55%33.5 %

Nigeria's employment in agriculture (% of total employment) fell from 53.6 % in 1996 to 33.5 % in 2025.

Employment in industry (% of total employment)

% of employment

113th of 182 · 16th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Employment in industry (% of total employment)Nigeria's employment in industry (% of total employment) rose from 9.5 % in 1996 to 17.0 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020258%10%12%14%16%18%17.0 %

Nigeria's employment in industry (% of total employment) rose from 9.5 % in 1996 to 17.0 % in 2025.

Employment in services (% of total employment)

% of employment

130th of 182 · 14th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Employment in services (% of total employment)Nigeria's employment in services (% of total employment) rose from 36.9 % in 1996 to 49.5 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202535%40%45%50%55%49.5 %

Nigeria's employment in services (% of total employment) rose from 36.9 % in 1996 to 49.5 % in 2025.

Productivity

GDP per person employed (constant 2021 PPP $)

constant 2021 PPP $

132nd of 168 · 15th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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GDP per person employed (constant 2021 PPP $)Nigeria's gdp per person employed (constant 2021 ppp $) rose from intl $10.8k in 1996 to intl $17.1k in 2025.200020052010201520202025intl $10kintl $15kintl $20kintl $17.1k

Nigeria's gdp per person employed (constant 2021 ppp $) rose from intl $10.8k in 1996 to intl $17.1k in 2025.

›No data available (7)

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

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