Unemployment rates remain a key indicator of economic activity across Africa. While some countries report low figures, these numbers often fail to capture the complexities of underemployment and informal employment.
Many workers rely on low-paying or insecure jobs in the informal sector, which provides livelihoods for a significant portion of the population. Efforts to prioritise key sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and ICT have contributed to employment creation.
Read also: Africa’s 10 countries with the highest joblessness rates
However, low unemployment figures do not necessarily translate to economic prosperity. Addressing the employment crisis requires a focus on creating sustainable, formal jobs that can improve living standards and reduce inequality.
According to Statista, here are the top 10 African countries with the lowest unemployment rates
1. Niger – 0.49%
Niger leads with the lowest unemployment rate on the continent at 0.49%. The country’s economy is largely driven by agriculture, which employs a significant proportion of the population.
2. Burundi – 0.98%
Burundi follows closely with an unemployment rate of 0.98%. Many people in the country are engaged in subsistence farming, contributing to low formal unemployment figures.
3. Chad – 1.28%
Chad ranks third, recording a 1.28% unemployment rate. The informal sector plays a significant role in absorbing the labour force.
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4. Benin – 1.58%
Benin’s unemployment rate stands at 1.58%. The nation’s trade and agricultural activities continue to support a majority of its working-age population.
5. Madagascar – 2.07%
With an unemployment rate of 2.07%, Madagascar secures the fifth position. The country relies heavily on agriculture, fishing, and forestry for employment opportunities.
6. Côte d’Ivoire – 2.61%
Côte d’Ivoire’s unemployment rate is 2.61%, driven by a robust agricultural sector, particularly cocoa production, which supports a significant portion of its workforce.
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7. Tanzania – 2.92%
Tanzania has a 2.92% unemployment rate. Agriculture and a growing tourism sector provide employment opportunities for a large part of its population.
8. Mali – 2.94%
Mali’s unemployment rate is 2.94%. The informal sector and agricultural activities are key contributors to keeping unemployment figures low.
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9. Senegal – 3.34%
Senegal has a recorded unemployment rate of 3.34%. Its economy benefits from sectors like fishing, agriculture, and trade, which employ a majority of its labour force.
10. Liberia – 3.56%
Liberia rounds off the list with an unemployment rate of 3.56%. The nation relies on small-scale farming and informal trading for most of its employment.
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