Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Malawi
Malawi: Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) was 4.2% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Malawi, 1991–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
In 2025, unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Malawi stood at 4.2%.
That represents a change of up 0.8% on the previous year and up 2.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Malawi peaked at 4.9% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 3.8%, in 1997.
That places Malawi 111th out of 187 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Malawi, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 4.0% | — |
| 1992 | 4.2% | +3.6% |
| 1993 | 4.1% | -1.6% |
| 1994 | 4.4% | +8.1% |
| 1995 | 4.0% | -9.3% |
| 1996 | 4.1% | +1.0% |
| 1997 | 3.8% | -5.3% |
| 1998 | 4.0% | +5.3% |
| 1999 | 4.1% | +1.7% |
| 2000 | 4.2% | +0.9% |
| 2001 | 4.3% | +3.7% |
| 2002 | 4.3% | +0.6% |
| 2003 | 4.3% | -1.7% |
| 2004 | 4.1% | -4.1% |
| 2005 | 4.1% | -0.6% |
| 2006 | 4.1% | +0.4% |
| 2007 | 4.0% | -1.6% |
| 2008 | 3.9% | -1.6% |
| 2009 | 3.9% | -1.3% |
| 2010 | 3.9% | +1.2% |
| 2011 | 4.0% | +1.2% |
| 2012 | 4.1% | +2.7% |
| 2013 | 4.1% | +0.7% |
| 2014 | 4.1% | -0.2% |
| 2015 | 4.1% | -0.3% |
| 2016 | 4.2% | +1.3% |
| 2017 | 4.2% | +0.8% |
| 2018 | 4.2% | -0.6% |
| 2019 | 4.1% | -1.2% |
| 2020 | 4.9% | +18.4% |
| 2021 | 4.8% | -1.6% |
| 2022 | 4.1% | -13.7% |
| 2023 | 4.1% | -0.2% |
| 2024 | 4.2% | +0.9% |
| 2025 | 4.2% | +0.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 4.1% | 3.8% | 4.4% | 9 |
| 2000s | 4.1% | 3.9% | 4.3% | 10 |
| 2010s | 4.1% | 3.9% | 4.2% | 10 |
| 2020s | 4.4% | 4.1% | 4.9% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Malawi
- 108 Mauritius 4.3% compare
- 109 India 4.2% compare
- 110 United States of America 4.2% compare
- 112 Sierra Leone 4.1% compare
- 113 Australia 4.1% compare
- 114 Kazakhstan 4.1% compare
More education data for Malawi
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 14,528 (2019)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 1.25 million (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 1.16 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 4.75 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 2.7 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0.0004 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.2193 units per person (2024)
- Secondary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 4.75 million (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Malawi?
- Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Malawi was 4.2% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest unemployment, male (% of male labor force) recorded in Malawi?
- The highest recorded value was 4.9% in 2020.
- What is the lowest unemployment, male (% of male labor force) recorded in Malawi?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.8% in 1997.
- How does Malawi rank for unemployment, male (% of male labor force)?
- Malawi ranks 111th out of 187 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment, male (% of male labor force) rising or falling in Malawi?
- Over the last ten years it is up 2.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Malawi data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) (modeled ILO estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment.