Central African Republic: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in the Central African Republic?

Unemployment in the Central African Republic was 6.25% of the labour force in 2025, according to the International Labour Organization's modelled estimate on World Bank Open Data. It was also 6.25% in 2024. Youth unemployment, for ages 15 to 24, was 10.09%, the same source shows.

The ILO estimate is modelled, because the country has no recent regular labour force survey. In a largely rural economy, few people can afford to be without work, so low unemployment sits alongside widespread low-paid and informal work. No national unemployment figure was found on the ICASEES site on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: World Bank Open Data · the same source shows

How many people in the Central African Republic work for themselves or in family businesses?

79.42% of workers in the Central African Republic were in vulnerable employment in 2025, according to the International Labour Organization's modelled estimate on World Bank Open Data. Vulnerable employment means own-account workers and unpaid family workers, who rarely have formal contracts or social protection.

The share has barely changed in recent years (79.59% in 2023). Most such work is in subsistence farming. Labour force participation was 73.39% of people aged 15 and over in 2025, according to the ILO.

Official sources: World Bank Open Data · according to the ILO

What is the Central African Republic's minimum wage?

35,000 XAF a month (about $58): that is the statutory minimum wage in the Central African Republic for 2024, according to the ILO. It has not changed since 2012.

What is the unemployment rate in the Central African Republic?

According to the ILO, the unemployment rate in the Central African Republic was 6.3% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 6.7%; its low point was 2008, at 5.5%. It is 18th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 5.2%. Worldwide: 65th of 174.

How many young people in the Central African Republic are unemployed?

According to the ILO, unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in the Central African Republic was 10.1% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 10.9%; its low point was 2018, at 9.6%. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 8.8%, and the Central African Republic placed 21st highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 104th of 174.

What is the labour force participation rate in the Central African Republic?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 73.4%. The peak was 73.4% in 2018 and the low 72.5% in 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 64.3%, and the Central African Republic placed 12th highest of 45. Worldwide: 20th of 174.

What is female labour force participation in the Central African Republic?

According to the ILO, the labour force participation rate for women in the Central African Republic was 65.5% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 64.8% (2020) to 65.9% (2010). It is 13th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 57.3%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 22nd highest.

What share of adults in the Central African Republic have a job?

The ILO puts the employment to population ratio in the Central African Republic at 68.8% in 2025. The peak was 69.2% in 2015 and the low 67.8% in 2021. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 58.8%, and the Central African Republic placed 11th highest of 45. Worldwide: 23rd of 174.

How common is self-employment in the Central African Republic?

79.4%: that is the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in the Central African Republic for 2025, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 80.4%; its low point was 2012, at 78.4%. It is 11th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 67.6%. World rank, highest first: 12th of 174.

What share of workers in the Central African Republic earn a wage or salary?

In 2025, the share of workers who are paid employees in the Central African Republic was 14.6%, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2012, at 15.7%; its low point was 2020, at 13.7%. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 29.0%; the Central African Republic is 40th highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 169th of 174.