Guinea-Bissau: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Guinea-Bissau?

Guinea-Bissau's unemployment rate was 2.7% of the labour force in 2025, according to a modelled estimate by the International Labour Organization published by the World Bank.

The figure is a model-based estimate, not a survey result for that year. Unemployment counts only people without any work who are looking for a job, so it does not capture underemployment or informal work with low earnings. No recent labour force survey results were found on the website of the National Statistics Institute, checked on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: World Bank: Unemployment (modelled ILO estimate), Guinea-Bissau · National Statistics Institute

How much is the minimum wage in Guinea-Bissau?

19,030 XOF a month (about $31): that is the statutory minimum wage in Guinea-Bissau for 2024, according to the ILO. It has not changed since 2012.

How much do workers in Guinea-Bissau earn on average?

According to the ILO, average monthly earnings of employees in Guinea-Bissau was $141 a month in 2022. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was $205 a month, and Guinea-Bissau placed 13th highest of 18. Worldwide: 92nd of 98.

What is the unemployment rate in Guinea-Bissau?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 2.7%. The peak was 3.3% in 2014 and the low 2.4% in 2019. It is 38th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 5.2%. Worldwide: 148th of 174.

What is the youth unemployment rate in Guinea-Bissau?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 2.8%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 2.1% (2019) to 4.0% (2014). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 8.8%, and Guinea-Bissau placed 40th highest of 45. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 165th highest.

How many people in Guinea-Bissau are working or looking for work?

In 2025, the labour force participation rate in Guinea-Bissau was 64.8%, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2022, at 64.8%; its low point was 2019, at 62.2%. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 64.3%; Guinea-Bissau is 22nd highest of 45. Worldwide: 63rd of 174.

What is female labour force participation in Guinea-Bissau?

In 2025, the labour force participation rate for women in Guinea-Bissau was 60.3%, according to the ILO. No year since 2005 has been higher. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 57.3%; Guinea-Bissau is 19th highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 47th of 174.

How many people in Guinea-Bissau are employed?

63.1%: that is the employment to population ratio in Guinea-Bissau for 2025, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 60.7% (2019) to 63.1% (2022). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 58.8%, and Guinea-Bissau placed 18th highest of 45. Worldwide: 48th of 174.

How common is self-employment in Guinea-Bissau?

74.9%: that is the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Guinea-Bissau for 2025, according to the ILO. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 67.6%; Guinea-Bissau is 18th highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 22nd of 174.

How many people in Guinea-Bissau are employees?

24.5%: that is the share of workers who are paid employees in Guinea-Bissau for 2025, according to the ILO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 25th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 29.0%. World rank, highest first: 149th of 174.