Economy, jobs and prices in Benishangul-Gumuz, Ethiopia: official figures
4.1% of Benishangul-Gumuz's labour force (people aged 10 and over working or looking for work) was unemployed in the 2024/25 National Integrated Household Survey, about 26,000 people; the lowest of the 14 regions and city administrations (Ethiopia: 9.6%). In the February 2021 Labour Market Survey the rate was 4.3% (Ethiopia: 8.0%).
How many young people in Benishangul-Gumuz are unemployed?
Among young people aged 15 to 35 in the labour force, 5.6% were unemployed in Benishangul-Gumuz in 2024/25, the lowest of the 14 regions and city administrations (Ethiopia: 12.9%).
Source: Ethiopian Statistical Service · saved copyHow many people in Benishangul-Gumuz have a job?
62.6% of people of working age in Benishangul-Gumuz were in work in 2024/25 and 65.3% were in the labour force, 4th highest 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 Benishangul-Gumuz more likely to be unemployed?
Unemployment in Benishangul-Gumuz was 4.5% for women and 3.8% for men in 2024/25 (Ethiopia: 12.8% and 7.2%).
Source: Ethiopian Statistical Service · saved copyIs unemployment higher in the towns of Benishangul-Gumuz?
Unemployment is higher in towns: the urban unemployment rate in Benishangul-Gumuz was 8.5% in 2024/25, against 2.5% in rural areas (Ethiopia: 17.2% urban, 7.4% rural).
Source: Ethiopian Statistical Service · saved copyDo people in Benishangul-Gumuz have clean drinking water?
77% of people in Benishangul-Gumuz lived in households with at least a basic drinking water service (an improved source within a 30-minute round trip) in 2024-25, 3rd highest of the 14 regions and city administrations (Ethiopia: 57%).
Source: Ethiopian Statistical Service (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many homes in Benishangul-Gumuz have a proper toilet?
28% of people in Benishangul-Gumuz had at least a basic sanitation service (an improved toilet not shared with other households), 6th lowest of the 14 regions and city administrations (Ethiopia: 31%).
Source: Ethiopian Statistical Service (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow Benishangul-Gumuz compares with other regional states
Unemployment rate (labour force aged 10+) (2024/25)
Benishangul-Gumuz ranks 14 of 14, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate (labour force aged 10+) |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Sidama | 8.5% |
| 9 | Central Ethiopia | 8.4% |
| 10 | Harari | 7.3% |
| 11 | Gambella | 6.3% |
| 12 | South Ethiopia | 5.6% |
| 13 | South West Ethiopia Peoples' Region | 4.4% |
| 14 | Benishangul-Gumuz | 4.1% |
Youth unemployment rate (aged 15-35) (2024/25)
Benishangul-Gumuz ranks 14 of 14, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Youth unemployment rate (aged 15-35) |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Sidama | 11.4% |
| 9 | Afar | 10.5% |
| 10 | Harari | 8.7% |
| 11 | Gambella | 8.0% |
| 12 | South Ethiopia | 7.6% |
| 13 | South West Ethiopia Peoples' Region | 6.1% |
| 14 | Benishangul-Gumuz | 5.6% |
Household population with at least basic drinking water (2024-25)
Benishangul-Gumuz ranks 3 of 14, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Household population with at least basic drinking water |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Addis Ababa | 91% |
| 2 | Dire Dawa | 85% |
| 3 | Benishangul-Gumuz | 77% |
| 4 | Harari | 74% |
| 5 | Amhara | 65% |
| 6 | Gambella | 63% |
| 7 | Oromia | 56% |
More on Benishangul-Gumuz: 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…)
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