Ethiopia: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Ethiopia?

Ethiopia's unemployment rate was 9.6% in 2024/25, with 5,238,234 people unemployed, according to the Ethiopian Statistical Service National Integrated Household Survey labour force key findings, published in September 2026. Unemployment was 12.8% for women and 7.2% for men.

ESS measures people aged ten and over and follows the 13th International Conference of Labour Statisticians, which counts as unemployed those without work and available for it, including some who are not actively searching. That makes the rate higher than the ILO modelled estimate of 3.3% for 2025 on the World Bank site, which uses a stricter definition and people aged 15 and over. Use one series consistently when comparing years.

Official sources: ESS: NIHS 2024/25 labour force key findings (PDF) · World Bank: unemployment, modelled ILO estimate, Ethiopia

What is youth unemployment in Ethiopia?

Youth unemployment in Ethiopia was 12.9% in 2024/25, according to the Ethiopian Statistical Service labour force key findings from the National Integrated Household Survey. It was 20.6% among young people in urban areas, more than double the rural rate of 10.2%.

ESS describes this as nearly one in eight economically active young people being unemployed. The lower rural rate reflects the large share of young people in subsistence farming and family work, which counts as employment even when hours or earnings are low. The survey uses the national definition of youth and the 13th ICLS unemployment definition, so figures are not directly comparable with the ILO modelled estimates published internationally.

Official sources: ESS: NIHS 2024/25 labour force key findings (PDF)

What is the average salary in Ethiopia?

The average monthly earnings of a paid employee in Ethiopia were Birr 6,704 in 2024/25, according to the Ethiopian Statistical Service labour force key findings. Men earned Birr 7,534 a month on average and women Birr 5,473.

The figure covers paid employees only, not the self-employed or family workers who make up most of the workforce. It is gross pay from the main job, including bonuses, overtime and allowances, but excluding subsistence allowances, employer social security contributions and severance pay. It is a mean, so a smaller number of high earners pull it above what a typical employee receives.

Official sources: ESS: NIHS 2024/25 labour force key findings (PDF)

How many Ethiopians are in the labour force?

Ethiopia's labour force was 54.3 million people in 2024/25, a participation rate of 67.8% of people aged ten and over, according to the Ethiopian Statistical Service National Integrated Household Survey labour force key findings. The rate was 64.7% in February 2021.

The labour force counts people who are working or unemployed in the survey's reference week. People outside it are mainly students, those doing household duties, the retired and the ill. The survey also shows that 44.2% of employment outside subsistence farming and private households is in the informal sector, rising to 53.2% in rural areas and falling to 22.8% in urban areas.

Official sources: ESS: NIHS 2024/25 labour force key findings (PDF)

Which region of Ethiopia has the highest unemployment?

Addis Ababa had the highest unemployment rate in Ethiopia in 2024/25 at 19.1%, followed by Dire Dawa at 14.5% and Tigray at 12.0%, according to the Ethiopian Statistical Service labour force key findings. The lowest rates were in South West Ethiopia (4.4%) and Benishangul-Gumuz (4.1%). The national rate was 9.6%.

Unemployment is higher in cities because most rural people work on family farms, which counts as employment. ESS also finds that unemployment among recent internal migrants rose from 8.5% in 2021 to 12.3% in 2024/25, according to its migration key findings, as people move to towns in search of work.

Official sources: ESS: NIHS 2024/25 labour force key findings (PDF) · ESS: NIHS 2024/25 migration key findings (PDF)

How much do workers in Ethiopia earn on average?

According to the ILO, average monthly earnings of employees in Ethiopia was $96 a month in 2021. That compares with $72 a month in 2013. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was $161 a month, and Ethiopia placed 8th highest of 9. World rank, highest first: 89th of 90.

What is Ethiopia's unemployment rate?

According to the ILO, the unemployment rate in Ethiopia was 3.3% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 2.3% (2013) to 4.0% (2020). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 5.2%, and Ethiopia placed 29th highest of 45. Worldwide: 124th of 174.

How many young people in Ethiopia are unemployed?

The ILO puts unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Ethiopia at 5.4% in 2025. The peak was 6.4% in 2020 and the low 3.4% in 2012. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 8.8%; Ethiopia is 30th highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 146th of 174.

How many people in Ethiopia are working or looking for work?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 68.5%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 68.3% (2021) to 82.0% (2005). It is 15th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 64.3%. World rank, highest first: 32nd of 174.

What is female labour force participation in Ethiopia?

In 2025, the labour force participation rate for women in Ethiopia was 58.5%, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 74.6%; its low point was 2021, at 57.6%. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 57.3%; Ethiopia is 21st highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 56th of 174.

What is the employment rate in Ethiopia?

66.2%: that is the employment to population ratio in Ethiopia for 2025, according to the ILO. The peak was 80.0% in 2006 and the low 65.6% in 2021. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 58.8%; Ethiopia is 13th highest of 45. Worldwide: 30th of 174.

How many workers in Ethiopia are self-employed or family workers?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 84.1%. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 67.6%, and Ethiopia placed 4th highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 4th of 174.

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

In 2025, the share of workers who are paid employees in Ethiopia was 15.7%, according to the ILO. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 29.0%, and Ethiopia placed 35th highest of 45. Worldwide: 164th of 174.