Djibouti: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Djibouti?

The International Labour Organization's modelled estimate puts unemployment in Djibouti at 26.0% of the labour force in 2025, about the same as in 2024, according to World Bank data.

Modelled estimates fill gaps between national surveys and can differ from survey results published by INSTAD. No national labour force survey figure is given here because INSTAD's website loads its figures with scripts that could not be read, and the sites of the Central Bank of Djibouti and the Ministry of Economy and Finance could not be reached, checked on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: World Bank: Unemployment, modelled ILO estimate, Djibouti

What is the youth unemployment rate in Djibouti?

The International Labour Organization's modelled estimate puts unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Djibouti at 76.8% in 2025, up from 76.5% in 2024, according to World Bank data.

The rate counts young people looking for work and available for it, as a share of young people in the labour force, so students not seeking work are not included. The overall unemployment estimate for all ages was 26.0%. These are modelled figures and may differ from national survey results.

Official sources: World Bank: Youth unemployment, modelled ILO estimate, Djibouti

How much does Djibouti spend on public sector wages?

Djibouti's government wage bill was 40.5 billion Djibouti francs in 2024, up 4.5% on 2023, according to the Banque Centrale de Djibouti's annual report for 2024. Wages made up about a quarter of the 157.1 billion francs of total state spending.

The Bank says the rise appears to reflect pay rises and new hires in some parts of the civil service. Income tax on salaries rose 14.9% to 19.2 billion francs. No recent official unemployment or average wage figures were found on Djibouti government sites, checked on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: Banque Centrale de Djibouti: Rapport annuel 2024 (PDF)

What is the average monthly salary in Djibouti?

$537 a month: that is average monthly earnings of employees in Djibouti for 2017, according to the ILO. It is 5th highest of 8 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is $1,081 a month. Of 99 countries with 2017 data, 57th highest.

How high is unemployment in Djibouti?

26.0%: that is the unemployment rate in Djibouti for 2025, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 26.0% (2016) to 27.7% (2020). It is 1st highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 8.3%. World rank, highest first: 3rd of 174.

What is youth unemployment in Djibouti?

In 2025, unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Djibouti was 76.8%, according to the ILO. The peak was 81.9% in 2020 and the low 67.3% in 2005. It is 1st highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 18.3%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 1st highest.

What share of people in Djibouti are in the labour force?

In 2025, the labour force participation rate in Djibouti was 31.7%, according to the ILO. The peak was 33.7% in 2005 and the low 31.6% in 2020. It is 21st highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 45.2%. Worldwide: 173rd of 174.

What is female labour force participation in Djibouti?

19.4%: that is the labour force participation rate for women in Djibouti for 2025, according to the ILO. No year since 2005 has been higher. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 24.0%; Djibouti is 13th highest of 21. World rank, highest first: 166th of 174.

What is the employment rate in Djibouti?

According to the ILO, the employment to population ratio in Djibouti was 23.5% in 2025. The peak was 24.8% in 2005 and the low 22.8% in 2020. It is 21st highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 40.0%. World rank, highest first: 173rd of 174.

What is vulnerable employment in Djibouti?

In 2025, the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Djibouti was 30.3%, according to the ILO. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 21.6%, and Djibouti placed 7th highest of 21. World rank, highest first: 87th of 174.

What share of workers in Djibouti earn a wage or salary?

In 2025, the share of workers who are paid employees in Djibouti was 48.9%, according to the ILO. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 74.1%, and Djibouti placed 18th highest of 21. Worldwide: 117th of 174.