Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Pakistan
Pakistan: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) was 5.4% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Pakistan, 1991–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
Pakistan recorded 5.4% for unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in 2025.
That represents a change of down 1.3% on the previous year and up 52.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Pakistan peaked at 6.3% in 2021 and was at its lowest, 0.4%, in 2007.
That places Pakistan 88th out of 187 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Pakistan, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 0.6% | — |
| 1992 | 0.6% | -1.5% |
| 1993 | 0.6% | +1.5% |
| 1994 | 0.6% | +0.8% |
| 1995 | 0.6% | +1.7% |
| 1996 | 0.6% | -1.8% |
| 1997 | 0.6% | +1.8% |
| 1998 | 0.6% | +1.5% |
| 1999 | 0.6% | +0.8% |
| 2000 | 0.6% | -1.8% |
| 2001 | 0.6% | -0.5% |
| 2002 | 0.6% | +0.7% |
| 2003 | 0.6% | -0.5% |
| 2004 | 0.6% | -2.3% |
| 2005 | 0.6% | -2.5% |
| 2006 | 0.6% | -0.2% |
| 2007 | 0.4% | -31.6% |
| 2008 | 0.4% | +6.3% |
| 2009 | 0.5% | +26.5% |
| 2010 | 0.7% | +22.1% |
| 2011 | 0.8% | +21.9% |
| 2012 | 3.7% | +360.7% |
| 2013 | 3.0% | -19.4% |
| 2014 | 1.8% | -38.2% |
| 2015 | 3.6% | +95.2% |
| 2016 | 2.3% | -35.9% |
| 2017 | 3.2% | +40.2% |
| 2018 | 4.1% | +27.4% |
| 2019 | 4.8% | +18.3% |
| 2020 | 6.0% | +24.1% |
| 2021 | 6.3% | +5.7% |
| 2022 | 5.3% | -16.5% |
| 2023 | 5.2% | -1.0% |
| 2024 | 5.5% | +4.9% |
| 2025 | 5.4% | -1.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 0.6% | 0.6% | 0.6% | 9 |
| 2000s | 0.6% | 0.4% | 0.6% | 10 |
| 2010s | 2.8% | 0.7% | 4.8% | 10 |
| 2020s | 5.6% | 5.2% | 6.3% | 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, total (% of total labor force) in Pakistan?
- Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Pakistan was 5.4% 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 Pakistan?
- The highest recorded value was 6.3% in 2021.
- What is the lowest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Pakistan?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.4% in 2007.
- How does Pakistan rank for unemployment, total (% of total labor force)?
- Pakistan ranks 88th out of 187 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment, total (% of total labor force) rising or falling in Pakistan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 52.0%. 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, total (% of total 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.