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Zambia · Employment & wages

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

19 indicators · 12 with data

Unemployment

Unemployment

% of labour force

111th of 185 · 26th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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UnemploymentZambia's unemployment fell from 15.3 % in 1996 to 5.9 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020250%5%10%15%20%5.9 %

Zambia's unemployment fell from 15.3 % in 1996 to 5.9 % in 2025.

Youth unemployment

% of labour force ages 15–24

77th of 183 · 27th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Youth unemploymentZambia's youth unemployment fell from 26.8 % in 1996 to 10.5 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020250%10%20%30%10.5 %

Zambia's youth unemployment fell from 26.8 % in 1996 to 10.5 % in 2025.

Participation

Participation

% of population ages 15+

90th of 182 · 26th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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ParticipationZambia's participation rose from 59.6 % in 1996 to 61.9 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202558%59%60%61%62%63%61.9 %

Zambia's participation rose from 59.6 % in 1996 to 61.9 % in 2025.

Labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+)

% of female population ages 15+

73rd of 182 · 26th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+)Zambia's labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+) rose from 51.1 % in 1996 to 56.4 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202550%52%54%56%56.4 %

Zambia's labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+) rose from 51.1 % in 1996 to 56.4 % in 2025.

Employment

Employment to population ratio (ages 15+)

% of population ages 15+

88th of 182 · 24th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Employment to population ratio (ages 15+)Zambia's employment to population ratio (ages 15+) rose from 50.5 % in 1996 to 58.3 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202548%50%52%54%56%58%60%58.3 %

Zambia's employment to population ratio (ages 15+) rose from 50.5 % in 1996 to 58.3 % in 2025.

Labour force, total

people

65th of 182 · 18th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Labour force, totalZambia's labour force, total rose from 2.78M in 1996 to 8.01M in 2025.2000200520102015202020252M4M6M8M8.01M

Zambia's labour force, total rose from 2.78M in 1996 to 8.01M in 2025.

Self-employed (% of total employment)

% of employment

29th of 182 · 22nd in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Self-employed (% of total employment)Zambia's self-employed (% of total employment) fell from 83.4 % in 1996 to 71.7 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202570%75%80%85%90%71.7 %

Zambia's self-employed (% of total employment) fell from 83.4 % in 1996 to 71.7 % in 2025.

Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)

% of employment

157th of 182 · 26th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)Zambia's vulnerable employment (% of total employment) fell from 81.5 % in 1996 to 70.2 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202565%70%75%80%85%70.2 %

Zambia's vulnerable employment (% of total employment) fell from 81.5 % in 1996 to 70.2 % in 2025.

Structure

Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)

% of employment

17th of 182 · 16th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)Zambia's employment in agriculture (% of total employment) fell from 74.7 % in 1996 to 54.5 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202550%60%70%80%54.5 %

Zambia's employment in agriculture (% of total employment) fell from 74.7 % in 1996 to 54.5 % in 2025.

Employment in industry (% of total employment)

% of employment

159th of 182 · 30th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Employment in industry (% of total employment)Zambia's employment in industry (% of total employment) rose from 6.5 % in 1996 to 10.3 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020250%2%4%6%8%10%12%10.3 %

Zambia's employment in industry (% of total employment) rose from 6.5 % in 1996 to 10.3 % in 2025.

Employment in services (% of total employment)

% of employment

161st of 182 · 28th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Employment in services (% of total employment)Zambia's employment in services (% of total employment) rose from 18.9 % in 1996 to 35.2 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020250%10%20%30%40%35.2 %

Zambia's employment in services (% of total employment) rose from 18.9 % in 1996 to 35.2 % in 2025.

Productivity

GDP per person employed (constant 2021 PPP $)

constant 2021 PPP $

143rd of 168 · 22nd in Sub-Saharan Africa
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GDP per person employed (constant 2021 PPP $)Zambia's gdp per person employed (constant 2021 ppp $) rose from intl $8,407 in 1996 to intl $10.9k in 2025.200020052010201520202025intl $8kintl $10kintl $12kintl $10.9k

Zambia's gdp per person employed (constant 2021 ppp $) rose from intl $8,407 in 1996 to intl $10.9k in 2025.

›No data available (7)

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

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