Eritrea: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Eritrea?

Unemployment in Eritrea was 6.0% of the labour force in 2025, according to the International Labour Organization modelled estimate published in World Bank Open Data (5.978% to three decimals).

This is a model-based estimate from the ILO Modelled Estimates database, not the result of a published national labour force survey. No official figures on unemployment, wages or a minimum wage were found on the sites of the Bank of Eritrea (boe.gov.er) and the Ministry of Finance (mof.gov.er), checked on 15 October 2026. The figure counts people without work who are looking for it, as a share of everyone working or looking.

Official sources: World Bank: Unemployment, total (% of labour force, modelled ILO estimate), Eritrea

What is youth unemployment in Eritrea?

Unemployment among people aged 15 to 24 in Eritrea was 10.2% in 2025, according to the ILO modelled estimate in World Bank Open Data.

This is a model-based figure, not a result from a national labour force survey, as none has been published. The ILO counts people as unemployed only if they had no work, were available and were looking for a job. Young people in full-time education are outside the labour force, so the rate covers only those who were working or job-hunting. The overall rate for all ages is given in the unemployment answer.

Official sources: World Bank: youth unemployment, Eritrea

How many people in Eritrea work?

78.3% of people aged 15 and over in Eritrea were in the labour force in 2025, according to the ILO modelled estimate in World Bank Open Data. 47.9% of workers were in vulnerable employment, meaning they worked on their own account or in a family business without pay, according to the vulnerable employment series.

The labour force counts everyone working or looking for work. Both figures are modelled by the ILO from regional patterns and Eritrea's population structure, because no national labour force survey has been published, so they are estimates rather than counts. Vulnerable workers are less likely to have formal contracts or social protection.

Official sources: World Bank: labour force participation, Eritrea · World Bank: vulnerable employment, Eritrea

What is the unemployment rate in Eritrea?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 6.0%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 5.6% (2013) to 6.5% (2021). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 5.2%, and Eritrea placed 19th highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 68th of 174.

What is youth unemployment in Eritrea?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 10.2%. The peak was 11.1% in 2020 and the low 9.8% in 2018. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 8.8%; Eritrea is 20th highest of 45. Worldwide: 102nd of 174.

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

The ILO puts the labour force participation rate in Eritrea at 78.3% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2007, at 80.0%; its low point was 2020, at 77.5%. It is 7th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 64.3%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 13th highest.

What share of women in Eritrea are in the labour force?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 72.8%. The peak was 74.1% in 2005 and the low 72.0% in 2020. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 57.3%, and Eritrea placed 8th highest of 45. Worldwide: 12th of 174.

What is the employment rate in Eritrea?

According to the ILO, the employment to population ratio in Eritrea was 73.7% in 2025. The peak was 75.5% in 2006 and the low 72.6% in 2020. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 58.8%, and Eritrea placed 9th highest of 45. Worldwide: 15th of 174.

What is vulnerable employment in Eritrea?

47.9%: that is the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Eritrea for 2025, according to the ILO. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 67.6%, and Eritrea placed 33rd highest of 45. Worldwide: 55th of 174.

How many people in Eritrea are employees?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 47.6%. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 29.0%, and Eritrea placed 13th highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 121st of 174.