Syria: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Syria?

The International Labour Organization's modelled estimate puts Syria's unemployment rate at 13.6% in 2025, according to World Bank data. The modelled rate for young people aged 15 to 24 is 33.1%, according to the youth unemployment series.

These are ILO estimates produced by a statistical model, not results of a recent Syrian labour force survey. The Planning and Statistics Commission is the national statistics body, but its site could not be reached on 15 October 2026, so no national figure is given here.

Official sources: World Bank: Unemployment rate (ILO modelled), Syria · World Bank: Youth unemployment (ILO modelled), Syria

What is Syria's minimum wage?

14,760 SYP a month: that is the statutory minimum wage in Syria for 2024, according to the ILO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2012.

What is Syria's unemployment rate?

In 2025, the unemployment rate in Syria was 13.6%, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 8.1% (2009) to 15.2% (2020). It is 7th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 8.3%. World rank, highest first: 19th of 174.

How many young people in Syria are unemployed?

According to the ILO, unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Syria was 33.1% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 16.3% (2009) to 36.3% (2020). It is 5th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 18.3%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 14th highest.

What share of people in Syria are in the labour force?

The ILO puts the labour force participation rate in Syria at 36.9% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 46.6%; its low point was 2020, at 35.9%. It is 19th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 45.2%. World rank, highest first: 170th of 174.

How many women in Syria are working or looking for work?

12.7%: that is the labour force participation rate for women in Syria for 2025, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 12.7% (2020) to 16.5% (2005). It is 18th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 24.0%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 171st highest.

How many people in Syria are employed?

In 2025, the employment to population ratio in Syria was 31.9%, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 42.5%; its low point was 2020, at 30.5%. It is 19th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 40.0%. Worldwide: 170th of 174.

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

According to the ILO, the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Syria was 38.9% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 31.0% (2008) to 39.5% (2020). It is 5th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 21.6%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 67th highest.

How many people in Syria are employees?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 57.6%. The peak was 63.2% in 2010 and the low 53.7% in 2007. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 74.1%; Syria is 16th highest of 21. World rank, highest first: 106th of 174.