Economy, jobs and prices in Afar, Ethiopia: official figures
9.1% of Afar's labour force (people aged 10 and over working or looking for work) was unemployed in the 2024/25 National Integrated Household Survey, about 82,000 people; 6th highest of the 14 regions and city administrations (Ethiopia: 9.6%). In the February 2021 Labour Market Survey the rate was 11.3% (Ethiopia: 8.0%).
How many young people in Afar are unemployed?
Among young people aged 15 to 35 in the labour force, 10.5% were unemployed in Afar in 2024/25, 6th lowest of the 14 regions and city administrations (Ethiopia: 12.9%).
Source: Ethiopian Statistical Service · saved copyHow many people in Afar have a job?
55.2% of people of working age in Afar were in work in 2024/25 and 60.7% were in the labour force, 7th lowest of the 14 regions and city administrations for the share in work (Ethiopia: 61.3% and 67.8%).
Source: Ethiopian Statistical Service · saved copyAre women in Afar more likely to be unemployed?
Unemployment in Afar was 11.2% for women and 7.8% for men in 2024/25 (Ethiopia: 12.8% and 7.2%).
Source: Ethiopian Statistical Service · saved copyDo people in Afar have clean drinking water?
30% of people in Afar lived in households with at least a basic drinking water service (an improved source within a 30-minute round trip) in 2024-25, the lowest of the 14 regions and city administrations (Ethiopia: 57%).
Source: Ethiopian Statistical Service (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many homes in Afar have a proper toilet?
7% of people in Afar had at least a basic sanitation service (an improved toilet not shared with other households), the lowest of the 14 regions and city administrations (Ethiopia: 31%).
Source: Ethiopian Statistical Service (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow Afar compares with other regional states
Unemployment rate (labour force aged 10+) (2024/25)
Afar ranks 6 of 14, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate (labour force aged 10+) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Tigray | 12.0% |
| 4 | Oromia | 10.5% |
| 5 | Amhara | 9.2% |
| 6 | Afar | 9.1% |
| 7 | Somali | 9.0% |
| 8 | Sidama | 8.5% |
| 9 | Central Ethiopia | 8.4% |
Youth unemployment rate (aged 15-35) (2024/25)
Afar ranks 9 of 14, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Youth unemployment rate (aged 15-35) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Amhara | 12.2% |
| 7 | Central Ethiopia | 11.7% |
| 8 | Sidama | 11.4% |
| 9 | Afar | 10.5% |
| 10 | Harari | 8.7% |
| 11 | Gambella | 8.0% |
| 12 | South Ethiopia | 7.6% |
Household population with at least basic drinking water (2024-25)
Afar ranks 14 of 14, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Household population with at least basic drinking water |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Tigray | 54% |
| 9 | Sidama | 52% |
| 10 | South Ethiopia | 46% |
| 11 | Central Ethiopia | 42% |
| 12 | Somali | 40% |
| 13 | South West Ethiopia Peoples' Region | 38% |
| 14 | Afar | 30% |
More on Afar: overview · health · Ethiopia
Sources
- Ethiopian Statistical Service (with ICF, The DHS Program): Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey 2024-25, Summary Report: regional indicator table (water, sanitation, fertility, child mortality), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 11639969304a…)
- Ethiopian Statistical Service: National Integrated Household Survey 2024/25: Labour Force Key Findings (Appendix Summary Tables 1 and 3, Tables B1-B4), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 621e313a7446…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.