Mali: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Mali?

Mali's unemployment rate was 6.2% of people aged 15 and over in April to June 2026, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INSTAT) EMOP survey, second round. The combined rate of time-related underemployment and unemployment was 12.7%, and the broadest measure of labour underutilisation was 18.4%.

Unemployment follows the ILO definition: people without work who looked for a job and could start. INSTAT runs the EMOP household survey in several rounds a year; the annual rate for 2025 was 5.7%, according to the INSTAT home page.

Official sources: INSTAT: EMOP 2026, second round summary report (PDF) · INSTAT Mali home page

What taxes do employers pay on wages in Mali?

Employers in Mali pay a flat employer contribution of 3.5% of gross pay, a vocational training tax of 2%, a youth employment tax of 2% and a housing tax of 1% of the gross wage bill, according to the Directorate General of Taxes (DGI) list of taxes payable.

These taxes are calculated on gross salaries, wages, allowances and other pay, and most are declared monthly. The housing tax finances the National Housing Fund, and the youth employment tax funds youth employment programmes. Social security contributions and employees' income tax come on top. The DGI page links to the relevant articles of the General Tax Code.

Official sources: DGI Mali: Taxes payable

How much is the minimum wage in Mali?

40,000 XOF a month (about $66): that is the statutory minimum wage in Mali for 2024, according to the ILO. No year since 2012 has been higher.

How much do workers in Mali earn on average?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2024, is $176 a month. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2013. Sub-Saharan Africa median: $173 a month; Mali is 6th highest of 12. Of 75 countries with 2024 data, 66th highest.

How high is unemployment in Mali?

In 2025, the unemployment rate in Mali was 2.8%, according to the ILO. The peak was 4.0% in 2021 and the low 1.4% in 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 5.2%, and Mali placed 35th highest of 45. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 142nd highest.

What is the youth unemployment rate in Mali?

The ILO puts unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Mali at 3.9% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 6.7%; its low point was 2005, at 2.1%. It is 35th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 8.8%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 157th highest.

What is the labour force participation rate in Mali?

67.0%: that is the labour force participation rate in Mali for 2025, according to the ILO. The peak was 70.6% in 2014 and the low 65.9% in 2020. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 64.3%; Mali is 20th highest of 45. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 43rd highest.

What share of women in Mali are in the labour force?

According to the ILO, the labour force participation rate for women in Mali was 52.8% in 2025. The peak was 61.2% in 2015 and the low 50.6% in 2020. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 57.3%, and Mali placed 29th highest of 45. Worldwide: 93rd of 174.

What is the employment rate in Mali?

The ILO puts the employment to population ratio in Mali at 65.1% in 2025. The peak was 69.6% in 2014 and the low 63.6% in 2020. It is 15th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 58.8%. World rank, highest first: 37th of 174.

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

According to the ILO, the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Mali was 75.8% in 2025. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 67.6%, and Mali placed 16th highest of 45. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 20th highest.

What share of jobs in Mali are salaried?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 23.6%. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 27th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 29.0%. Worldwide: 151st of 174.