Mongolia: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Mongolia?

Mongolia's unemployment rate was 5.5% in the second quarter of 2026, up from 4.5% a year earlier, according to the NSO labour force survey table. 79,347 people were unemployed out of a labour force of 1,447,350. The rate was 6.6% for men and 4.2% for women.

The figures come from the quarterly labour force survey and cover people aged 15 and over. Unemployed people are those without work who are available and looking for it. The NSO notes that sampling weights were recalculated in 2024. The labour force participation rate was 61.5%.

Official sources: NSO: Employment indicators of population aged 15 and over, by quarter

What is the average salary in Mongolia?

The average monthly nominal wage in Mongolia was 3,026,600 togrogs in the second quarter of 2026, up from 2,697,100 togrogs a year earlier, according to the NSO average wages table. Men averaged 3,283,900 togrogs and women 2,779,400 togrogs. In budget organisations the average was 3,090,600 togrogs.

The data come from the Social Insurance General Office and are based on total wages and salaries recorded in social insurance data. Monthly median wages are published in a separate NSO table.

Official sources: NSO: Monthly average nominal wages, by legal status and gender, by quarter

How many foreign workers are there in Mongolia?

There were 30,131 foreign workers with labour contracts in Mongolia in the second quarter of 2026, according to the NSO foreign workers table. Of these, 21,830 were from China and 3,479 from India.

The data come from the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Protection and count people working under a registered labour contract. In the same quarter, the ministry recorded 94 Mongolians recruited to work abroad on a contractual basis, 71 in South Korea and 23 in Japan, according to a separate NSO table. Those figures cover only government-arranged contracts.

Official sources: NSO: Foreign workers with labour contract, by country and quarter · NSO: Employees working abroad on a contractual basis, by country and quarter

What is Mongolia's minimum wage?

According to the ILO, the statutory minimum wage in Mongolia was 660,000 MNT a month (about $195) in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2012.

How much do workers in Mongolia earn on average?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is $561 a month. No year since 2012 has been higher. Of 57 countries with 2025 data, 39th highest.

How high is unemployment in Mongolia?

In 2025, the unemployment rate in Mongolia was 5.2%, according to the ILO. The peak was 9.0% in 2019 and the low 3.9% in 2012. It is 3rd highest of 24 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 2.9%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 82nd highest.

What is youth unemployment in Mongolia?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 11.7%. The peak was 21.1% in 2019 and the low 8.4% in 2012. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 7.5%, and Mongolia placed 8th highest of 24. World rank, highest first: 90th of 174.

How many people in Mongolia are working or looking for work?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 59.7%. Its high point since 2005 was 2019, at 65.6%; its low point was 2016, at 58.4%. It is 18th highest of 24 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 65.3%. Worldwide: 102nd of 174.

What is female labour force participation in Mongolia?

51.5%: that is the labour force participation rate for women in Mongolia for 2025, according to the ILO. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 18th highest of 24 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 56.3%. Worldwide: 105th of 174.

What share of adults in Mongolia have a job?

56.6%: that is the employment to population ratio in Mongolia for 2025, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 54.2% (2016) to 59.7% (2019). It is 18th highest of 24 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 63.1%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 100th highest.

How common is self-employment in Mongolia?

The ILO puts the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Mongolia at 38.4% in 2025. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 40.0%, and Mongolia placed 13th highest of 24. World rank, highest first: 68th of 174.

What share of jobs in Mongolia are salaried?

According to the ILO, the share of workers who are paid employees in Mongolia was 58.8% in 2025. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 11th highest of 24 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 56.8%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 101st highest.