South Sudan: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in South Sudan?

Unemployment in South Sudan was 12.4% of the labour force in 2023, according to the International Labour Organization's modelled estimate published by the World Bank, almost unchanged from 12.5% in 2022.

The ILO figure is a modelled estimate. No national labour force figures were found on the website of the National Bureau of Statistics, checked on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: World Bank: Unemployment (ILO modelled estimate), South Sudan · National Bureau of Statistics

What is South Sudan's unemployment rate?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2023, is 12.4%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 12.3% (2005) to 14.2% (2020). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 5.3%, and South Sudan placed 10th highest of 46. Worldwide: 23rd of 176.

What is the youth unemployment rate in South Sudan?

The ILO puts unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in South Sudan at 18.5% in 2023. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 8.7%, and South Sudan placed 12th highest of 46. World rank, highest first: 50th of 176.

How many people in South Sudan are working or looking for work?

The ILO puts the labour force participation rate in South Sudan at 73.4% in 2023. The peak was 74.3% in 2005 and the low 73.2% in 2020. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 64.6%; South Sudan is 13th highest of 46. Worldwide: 23rd of 176.

What share of women in South Sudan are in the labour force?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2023, is 70.4%. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 58.1%, and South Sudan placed 12th highest of 46. Of 176 countries with 2023 data, 17th highest.

What share of adults in South Sudan have a job?

64.3%: that is the employment to population ratio in South Sudan for 2023, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 62.8% (2020) to 65.2% (2005). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 59.5%, and South Sudan placed 17th highest of 46. World rank, highest first: 43rd of 176.

How common is self-employment in South Sudan?

80.3%: that is the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in South Sudan for 2023, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2016, at 83.0%; its low point was 2008, at 79.9%. It is 11th highest of 46 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 68.2%. Worldwide: 12th of 176.

How many people in South Sudan are employees?

In 2023, the share of workers who are paid employees in South Sudan was 17.5%, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 14.8% (2013) to 17.6% (2008). Sub-Saharan Africa median: 28.0%; South Sudan is 34th highest of 46. Worldwide: 163rd of 176.