Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Pakistan
Pakistan: Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) was 5.0% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Pakistan, 1991–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
Pakistan recorded 5.0% for unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in 2025.
The figure is up 0.5% on the previous year and up 76.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Pakistan peaked at 5.7% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 0.4%, in 2008.
Pakistan ranks 92nd of 187 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Pakistan, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 0.6% | — |
| 1992 | 0.6% | -1.7% |
| 1993 | 0.6% | +1.9% |
| 1994 | 0.6% | +1.1% |
| 1995 | 0.7% | +0.8% |
| 1996 | 0.6% | -1.2% |
| 1997 | 0.7% | +2.2% |
| 1998 | 0.7% | +1.8% |
| 1999 | 0.7% | +1.0% |
| 2000 | 0.7% | -1.6% |
| 2001 | 0.7% | -0.5% |
| 2002 | 0.7% | +0.8% |
| 2003 | 0.7% | -0.1% |
| 2004 | 0.7% | -1.9% |
| 2005 | 0.6% | -2.3% |
| 2006 | 0.6% | +0.2% |
| 2007 | 0.4% | -32.3% |
| 2008 | 0.4% | -8.5% |
| 2009 | 0.6% | +46.5% |
| 2010 | 0.7% | +13.3% |
| 2011 | 0.8% | +26.3% |
| 2012 | 3.6% | +338.3% |
| 2013 | 2.8% | -22.4% |
| 2014 | 1.8% | -37.2% |
| 2015 | 2.8% | +58.6% |
| 2016 | 2.2% | -23.1% |
| 2017 | 3.1% | +42.6% |
| 2018 | 4.0% | +28.5% |
| 2019 | 4.4% | +11.7% |
| 2020 | 5.7% | +28.0% |
| 2021 | 5.5% | -2.8% |
| 2022 | 4.8% | -12.3% |
| 2023 | 4.8% | -0.8% |
| 2024 | 4.9% | +3.4% |
| 2025 | 5.0% | +0.5% |
Pakistan compared with similar countries
- Pakistan's 5.0% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 4.3%, 1.2× the median. (46 countries reporting)
- Pakistan's 5.0% is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 8.5%, 58% of the median. (23 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Pakistan changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | +338.3% | 0.8% | 3.6% |
| 2015 | +58.6% | 1.8% | 2.8% |
| 2009 | +46.5% | 0.4% | 0.6% |
| 2017 | +42.6% | 2.2% | 3.1% |
| 2014 | -37.2% | 2.8% | 1.8% |
| 2007 | -32.3% | 0.6% | 0.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 0.7% | 0.6% | 0.7% | 9 |
| 2000s | 0.6% | 0.4% | 0.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 2.6% | 0.7% | 4.4% | 10 |
| 2020s | 5.1% | 4.8% | 5.7% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Pakistan
More education data for Pakistan
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 2.04 million (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 440,233 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 5.05 million (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 4.90 million (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 19.70 million (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 25.38 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 3.1 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.101 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Pakistan?
- Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Pakistan was 5.0% 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 Pakistan?
- The highest recorded value was 5.7% in 2020.
- What is the lowest unemployment, male (% of male labor force) recorded in Pakistan?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.4% in 2008.
- How does Pakistan rank for unemployment, male (% of male labor force)?
- Pakistan ranks 92nd out of 187 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment, male (% of male labor force) rising or falling in Pakistan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 76.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Pakistan 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.