Republic of the Congo: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in the Republic of the Congo?

Unemployment in the Republic of the Congo was 19.9% of the labour force in 2025, according to the World Bank, using modelled estimates from the International Labour Organization (ILO). The figure was also 19.9% in 2024.

The INS employment and labour page showed no published indicators when checked on 15 October 2026, so no national figure is given. The ILO figure is a modelled estimate: it fills gaps in national survey data with statistical models, so it is best used for broad comparison rather than year-to-year change.

Official sources: World Bank: unemployment, modelled ILO estimate, Congo · INS: employment and labour page

What is the average salary in the Republic of the Congo?

No official average salary figures were found on the sites of the National Institute of Statistics (INS) and the Ministry of Finance, Budget and Public Portfolio, checked on 15 October 2026.

The INS employment and labour page carried no wage indicators. For context, the INS household survey of 2022 set the national poverty line at 443,050 CFA francs per person per year. Many workers are self-employed or work informally, and their earnings are measured through household surveys rather than payroll data.

Official sources: INS: employment and labour page · INS: EHCVM 2022 poverty report (PDF)

How much is the minimum wage in the Republic of the Congo?

In 2024, the statutory minimum wage in the Republic of the Congo was 120,000 XAF a month (about $198), according to the ILO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2012.

What is the Republic of the Congo's unemployment rate?

19.9%: that is the unemployment rate in the Republic of the Congo for 2025, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 19.3% (2010) to 22.3% (2020). It is 5th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 5.2%. World rank, highest first: 6th of 174.

What is youth unemployment in the Republic of the Congo?

In 2025, unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in the Republic of the Congo was 40.5%, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 46.7%; its low point was 2006, at 39.8%. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 8.8%, and the Republic of the Congo placed 4th highest of 45. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 7th highest.

What share of people in the Republic of the Congo are in the labour force?

67.8%: that is the labour force participation rate in the Republic of the Congo for 2025, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2017, at 68.2%; its low point was 2020, at 64.9%. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 64.3%, and the Republic of the Congo placed 16th highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 37th of 174.

What is female labour force participation in the Republic of the Congo?

65.6%: that is the labour force participation rate for women in the Republic of the Congo for 2025, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 63.3% (2020) to 67.1% (2010). Sub-Saharan Africa median: 57.3%; the Republic of the Congo is 12th highest of 45. Worldwide: 21st of 174.

What share of adults in the Republic of the Congo have a job?

54.3%: that is the employment to population ratio in the Republic of the Congo for 2025, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 50.5% (2020) to 54.7% (2010). It is 30th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 58.8%. World rank, highest first: 115th of 174.

How common is self-employment in the Republic of the Congo?

The ILO puts the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in the Republic of the Congo at 75.9% in 2025. The peak was 77.1% in 2005 and the low 75.3% in 2014. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 67.6%; the Republic of the Congo is 15th highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 19th of 174.

How many people in the Republic of the Congo are employees?

The ILO puts the share of workers who are paid employees in the Republic of the Congo at 23.2% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 21.8% (2005) to 23.7% (2015). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 29.0%, and the Republic of the Congo placed 29th highest of 45. Worldwide: 153rd of 174.