Somalia: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Somalia?

The Somalia National Bureau of Statistics shows an unemployment rate of 21.4% among its headline indicators on its homepage. Its Integrated Household Budget Survey 2022 measured unemployment at 16.3%, higher in urban areas (19.3%) than in rural (10.6%) and nomadic areas (5.4%).

In the 2022 survey the rate was 14.3% for men and 20.6% for women. Unemployment counts people without work who are looking for it; many Somalis work in livestock herding, farming or informal trade and count as employed even when earnings are low.

Official sources: homepage · Integrated Household Budget Survey 2022

How high is youth unemployment in Somalia?

The youth unemployment rate in Somalia was 30.1% in 2022, according to the Somalia National Bureau of Statistics' Integrated Household Budget Survey. It was higher for young women (32.0%) than young men (29.0%), and higher in urban areas (35.6%) than in rural (21.8%) and nomadic areas (5.5%).

More recent labour figures are published on the Bureau's website. Low rates in nomadic areas reflect that most people there work in herding.

Official sources: Integrated Household Budget Survey · website

How high is unemployment in Somalia?

The ILO puts the unemployment rate in Somalia at 18.9% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 18.5% (2017) to 19.7% (2021). Sub-Saharan Africa median: 5.2%; Somalia is 7th highest of 45. Worldwide: 8th of 174.

How many young people in Somalia are unemployed?

The ILO puts unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Somalia at 34.2% in 2025. The peak was 35.9% in 2020 and the low 33.2% in 2017. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 8.8%; Somalia is 7th highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 13th of 174.

What is the labour force participation rate in Somalia?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 33.8%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 33.7% (2020) to 34.5% (2008). It is 44th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 64.3%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 171st highest.

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

The ILO puts the labour force participation rate for women in Somalia at 20.7% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 20.6% (2008) to 21.1% (2019). Sub-Saharan Africa median: 57.3%; Somalia is 45th highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 164th of 174.

What share of adults in Somalia have a job?

In 2025, the employment to population ratio in Somalia was 27.4%, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 27.1% (2021) to 28.0% (2007). It is 44th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 58.8%. Worldwide: 171st of 174.

How common is self-employment in Somalia?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 46.0%. The peak was 50.2% in 2005 and the low 45.5% in 2019. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 67.6%, and Somalia placed 34th highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 58th of 174.

What share of workers in Somalia earn a wage or salary?

According to the ILO, the share of workers who are paid employees in Somalia was 47.8% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 43.5% (2005) to 48.2% (2019). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 29.0%, and Somalia placed 12th highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 119th of 174.