Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) in Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) was 4.3% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Turkmenistan, 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 Turkmenistan is 4.3%, measured in 2025.
The figure is up 6.1% on the previous year and up 6.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Turkmenistan peaked at 12.7% in 1999 and was at its lowest, 1.4%, in 1991.
Turkmenistan ranks 116th 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, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) in Turkmenistan, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 1.4% | — |
| 1992 | 1.5% | +7.1% |
| 1993 | 1.5% | +0.0% |
| 1994 | 4.7% | +213.3% |
| 1995 | 8.3% | +76.6% |
| 1996 | 10.3% | +24.1% |
| 1997 | 11.0% | +6.8% |
| 1998 | 12.2% | +10.9% |
| 1999 | 12.7% | +4.1% |
| 2000 | 11.7% | -7.6% |
| 2001 | 10.9% | -7.1% |
| 2002 | 10.1% | -6.9% |
| 2003 | 9.3% | -8.4% |
| 2004 | 8.4% | -9.4% |
| 2005 | 7.5% | -11.0% |
| 2006 | 6.6% | -11.9% |
| 2007 | 5.7% | -13.4% |
| 2008 | 4.9% | -15.2% |
| 2009 | 4.0% | -17.6% |
| 2010 | 4.0% | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 4.0% | +0.1% |
| 2012 | 4.0% | -0.2% |
| 2013 | 4.0% | -0.0% |
| 2014 | 4.0% | +0.3% |
| 2015 | 4.0% | +0.3% |
| 2016 | 4.0% | +0.2% |
| 2017 | 4.0% | +0.2% |
| 2018 | 4.0% | +0.0% |
| 2019 | 4.0% | -0.0% |
| 2020 | 4.5% | +11.3% |
| 2021 | 4.5% | -0.7% |
| 2022 | 4.0% | -9.9% |
| 2023 | 4.0% | -0.2% |
| 2024 | 4.0% | +0.3% |
| 2025 | 4.3% | +6.1% |
Turkmenistan compared with similar countries
- Turkmenistan's 4.3% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 5.6%, 76% of the median. (53 countries reporting)
- Turkmenistan's 4.3% is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 5.6%, 77% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) in Turkmenistan 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | +213.3% | 1.5% | 4.7% |
| 1995 | +76.6% | 4.7% | 8.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 7.1% | 1.4% | 12.7% | 9 |
| 2000s | 7.9% | 4.0% | 11.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 4.0% | 4.0% | 4.0% | 10 |
| 2020s | 4.2% | 4.0% | 4.5% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Turkmenistan
More education data for Turkmenistan
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 88,747 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 82 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 1.00 million (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 631,199 (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -0.3347 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0842 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 631,199 (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Turkmenistan?
- Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Turkmenistan was 4.3% 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 Turkmenistan?
- The highest recorded value was 12.7% in 1999.
- What is the lowest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Turkmenistan?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.4% in 1991.
- How does Turkmenistan rank for unemployment, total (% of total labor force)?
- Turkmenistan ranks 116th out of 187 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment, total (% of total labor force) rising or falling in Turkmenistan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 6.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Turkmenistan 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.