Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) in Congo
Congo: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) was 19.9% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Latest (2025)
19.9%
Change on year
down 0.1%
World rank
7th
of 187 countries
All-time high
22.3%
in 2020
All-time low
19.3%
in 2010
Years of data
35
1991–2025
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Congo, 1991–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
The most recent figure for unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Congo is 19.9%, measured in 2025.
The figure is down 0.1% on the previous year and down 0.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Congo peaked at 22.3% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 19.3%, in 2010.
Congo ranks 7th of 187 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) in Congo, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 19.9% | — |
| 1992 | 19.9% | +0.0% |
| 1993 | 20.0% | +0.4% |
| 1994 | 20.3% | +1.4% |
| 1995 | 20.2% | -0.2% |
| 1996 | 20.0% | -0.9% |
| 1997 | 19.9% | -0.8% |
| 1998 | 19.9% | +0.1% |
| 1999 | 20.1% | +1.2% |
| 2000 | 19.9% | -1.3% |
| 2001 | 19.9% | +0.0% |
| 2002 | 19.6% | -1.2% |
| 2003 | 19.9% | +1.2% |
| 2004 | 19.9% | +0.1% |
| 2005 | 19.8% | -0.5% |
| 2006 | 19.6% | -1.2% |
| 2007 | 19.9% | +1.8% |
| 2008 | 20.0% | +0.3% |
| 2009 | 19.8% | -0.6% |
| 2010 | 19.3% | -2.7% |
| 2011 | 19.4% | +0.7% |
| 2012 | 19.5% | +0.3% |
| 2013 | 19.8% | +1.8% |
| 2014 | 19.7% | -0.8% |
| 2015 | 20.0% | +1.6% |
| 2016 | 20.3% | +1.4% |
| 2017 | 20.7% | +2.2% |
| 2018 | 20.8% | +0.5% |
| 2019 | 20.5% | -1.7% |
| 2020 | 22.3% | +8.7% |
| 2021 | 22.0% | -1.3% |
| 2022 | 20.1% | -8.5% |
| 2023 | 19.9% | -1.1% |
| 2024 | 19.9% | -0.1% |
| 2025 | 19.9% | -0.1% |
Congo compared with similar countries
- Congo's 19.9% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 5.1%, 3.9× the median. (46 countries reporting)
- Congo's 19.9% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 5.4%, 3.6× the median. (47 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 20.0% | 19.9% | 20.3% | 9 |
| 2000s | 19.8% | 19.6% | 20.0% | 10 |
| 2010s | 20.0% | 19.3% | 20.8% | 10 |
| 2020s | 20.7% | 19.9% | 22.3% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Congo
More education data for Congo
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 38,064 (2023)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 70,276 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 12,245 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 13,478 (2023)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 339,250 (2012)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 880,625 (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 1.03 % change on previous year (2012)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.1424 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Congo?
- Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Congo was 19.9% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Congo?
- The highest recorded value was 22.3% in 2020.
- What is the lowest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Congo?
- The lowest recorded value was 19.3% in 2010.
- How does Congo rank for unemployment, total (% of total labor force)?
- Congo ranks 7th out of 187 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment, total (% of total labor force) rising or falling in Congo?
- Over the last ten years it is down 0.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Congo data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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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.