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Pakistan · Employment & wages

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

19 indicators · 12 with data

Unemployment

Unemployment

% of labour force

103rd of 185 · 9th in MENA+
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UnemploymentPakistan's unemployment rose from 0.6 % in 1996 to 5.4 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020250%2%4%6%5.4 %

Pakistan's unemployment rose from 0.6 % in 1996 to 5.4 % in 2025.

Youth unemployment

% of labour force ages 15–24

68th of 183 · 6th in MENA+
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Youth unemploymentPakistan's youth unemployment rose from 1.0 % in 1996 to 9.6 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020250%2%4%6%8%10%12%9.6 %

Pakistan's youth unemployment rose from 1.0 % in 1996 to 9.6 % in 2025.

Participation

Participation

% of population ages 15+

147th of 182 · 9th in MENA+
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ParticipationPakistan's participation rose from 49.2 % in 1996 to 52.3 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202549%50%51%52%53%52.3 %

Pakistan's participation rose from 49.2 % in 1996 to 52.3 % in 2025.

Labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+)

% of female population ages 15+

169th of 182 · 11th in MENA+
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Labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+)Pakistan's labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+) rose from 13.7 % in 1996 to 24.0 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202515%20%25%24.0 %

Pakistan's labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+) rose from 13.7 % in 1996 to 24.0 % in 2025.

Employment

Employment to population ratio (ages 15+)

% of population ages 15+

145th of 182 · 9th in MENA+
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Employment to population ratio (ages 15+)Pakistan's employment to population ratio (ages 15+) rose from 48.9 % in 1996 to 49.5 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202548%49%50%51%49.5 %

Pakistan's employment to population ratio (ages 15+) rose from 48.9 % in 1996 to 49.5 % in 2025.

Labour force, total

people

7th of 182 · 1st in MENA+
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Labour force, totalPakistan's labour force, total rose from 38M in 1996 to 85.2M in 2025.20002005201020152020202540M60M80M85.2M

Pakistan's labour force, total rose from 38M in 1996 to 85.2M in 2025.

Self-employed (% of total employment)

% of employment

49th of 182 · 2nd in MENA+
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Self-employed (% of total employment)Pakistan's self-employed (% of total employment) fell from 66.3 % in 1996 to 57.0 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202556%58%60%62%64%66%68%57.0 %

Pakistan's self-employed (% of total employment) fell from 66.3 % in 1996 to 57.0 % in 2025.

Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)

% of employment

136th of 182 · 20th in MENA+
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Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)Pakistan's vulnerable employment (% of total employment) fell from 65.1 % in 1996 to 55.5 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202554%56%58%60%62%64%66%55.5 %

Pakistan's vulnerable employment (% of total employment) fell from 65.1 % in 1996 to 55.5 % in 2025.

Structure

Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)

% of employment

43rd of 182 · 2nd in MENA+
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Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)Pakistan's employment in agriculture (% of total employment) fell from 40.1 % in 1996 to 36.2 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202534%36%38%40%42%44%46%36.2 %

Pakistan's employment in agriculture (% of total employment) fell from 40.1 % in 1996 to 36.2 % in 2025.

Employment in industry (% of total employment)

% of employment

41st of 182 · 10th in MENA+
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Employment in industry (% of total employment)Pakistan's employment in industry (% of total employment) rose from 22.4 % in 1996 to 25.3 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202520%22%24%26%25.3 %

Pakistan's employment in industry (% of total employment) rose from 22.4 % in 1996 to 25.3 % in 2025.

Employment in services (% of total employment)

% of employment

154th of 182 · 20th in MENA+
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Employment in services (% of total employment)Pakistan's employment in services (% of total employment) rose from 37.5 % in 1996 to 38.5 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202532%34%36%38%40%42%38.5 %

Pakistan's employment in services (% of total employment) rose from 37.5 % in 1996 to 38.5 % in 2025.

Productivity

GDP per person employed (constant 2021 PPP $)

constant 2021 PPP $

130th of 168 · 17th in MENA+
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GDP per person employed (constant 2021 PPP $)Pakistan's gdp per person employed (constant 2021 ppp $) rose from intl $12.9k in 1996 to intl $17.8k in 2025.200020052010201520202025intl $12kintl $14kintl $16kintl $18kintl $17.8k

Pakistan's gdp per person employed (constant 2021 ppp $) rose from intl $12.9k in 1996 to intl $17.8k in 2025.

›No data available (7)

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

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