Côte d'Ivoire: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Côte d'Ivoire?

Côte d'Ivoire's unemployment rate was an estimated 2.3% in 2025, according to the International Labour Organization's modelled estimates published by the World Bank. For people aged 15 to 24 the youth rate was 4.0%.

These are model estimates. They count only people without any work who are looking for and available for it, so they leave out people in informal or part-time work who want more. The national statistics agency, ANSTAT, publishes the underlying data, but its website blocked automated access on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: World Bank: Unemployment, Côte d'Ivoire (ILO estimate) · World Bank: Youth unemployment, Côte d'Ivoire (ILO estimate)

What is the minimum wage in Côte d'Ivoire in 2026?

The current amount of Côte d'Ivoire's guaranteed minimum wage (SMIG) could not be read from an official source on 15 October 2026. It is published by the Ministry of Employment and Social Protection, whose website blocked automated access, and the government portal's search did not return a current page.

Employers declare wages to the national social security fund, CNPS, which did not show the SMIG on its home page. No official figure for average pay in Côte d'Ivoire was found online either.

Official sources: CNPS

How many people work in Côte d'Ivoire?

About 11.5 million people in Côte d'Ivoire are in employment, and the National Development Plan 2026-2030 aims to raise this to 14 million, according to the Minister of Planning and Development, quoted on the government portal.

The portal also cites 975,000 declared workers in formal employment, about one in twelve of the employed total. Survey-based employment figures come from ANSTAT, whose site blocked automated access on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: Government of Côte d'Ivoire: PND employment objective · Government of Côte d'Ivoire: formal employment

What is Côte d'Ivoire's minimum wage?

According to the ILO, the statutory minimum wage in Côte d'Ivoire was 75,000 XOF a month (about $124) in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2012.

How much do workers in Côte d'Ivoire earn on average?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2022, is $207 a month. It was $231 a month in 2013. It is 8th highest of 18 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is $205 a month. Of 98 countries with 2022 data, 83rd highest.

How high is unemployment in Côte d'Ivoire?

2.3%: that is the unemployment rate in Côte d'Ivoire for 2025, according to the ILO. The peak was 7.2% in 2012 and the low 1.9% in 2016. It is 39th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 5.2%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 153rd highest.

How many young people in Côte d'Ivoire are unemployed?

In 2025, unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Côte d'Ivoire was 4.0%, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 2.0% (2016) to 9.9% (2012). It is 34th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 8.8%. Worldwide: 155th of 174.

What is the labour force participation rate in Côte d'Ivoire?

According to the ILO, the labour force participation rate in Côte d'Ivoire was 67.1% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2012, at 67.3%; its low point was 2019, at 64.7%. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 64.3%, and Côte d'Ivoire placed 19th highest of 45. Worldwide: 42nd of 174.

How many women in Côte d'Ivoire are working or looking for work?

According to the ILO, the labour force participation rate for women in Côte d'Ivoire was 59.5% in 2025. The peak was 62.4% in 2012 and the low 55.4% in 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 57.3%, and Côte d'Ivoire placed 20th highest of 45. Worldwide: 50th of 174.

How many people in Côte d'Ivoire are employed?

65.5%: that is the employment to population ratio in Côte d'Ivoire for 2025, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 62.2% (2005) to 65.6% (2023). Sub-Saharan Africa median: 58.8%; Côte d'Ivoire is 14th highest of 45. Worldwide: 35th of 174.

How many workers in Côte d'Ivoire are self-employed or family workers?

The ILO puts the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Côte d'Ivoire at 69.4% in 2025. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 67.6%, and Côte d'Ivoire placed 21st highest of 45. Worldwide: 27th of 174.

What share of workers in Côte d'Ivoire earn a wage or salary?

In 2025, the share of workers who are paid employees in Côte d'Ivoire was 29.0%, according to the ILO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 23rd highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 29.0%. World rank, highest first: 145th of 174.