Timor-Leste: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Timor-Leste?

The International Labour Organization's modelled estimate puts unemployment in Timor-Leste at 1.6% of the labour force in 2025, according to World Bank data. The estimate counts people with no work at all who are looking for a job, so it does not capture the large share of people in informal or subsistence work.

INETL and SEFOPE run the national Labour Force Survey, and INETL published a Census 2022 thematic report on the labour force on its website. Modelled estimates can differ from national survey results.

Official sources: World Bank: Unemployment, modelled ILO estimate, Timor-Leste · INETL

How many people work in Timor-Leste?

35.9% of working-age people in Timor-Leste were in the labour force in 2022, 41.9% of men and 29.7% of women, according to INETL's Census 2022 thematic report on the labour force. The employment-to-population rate was 34.9%, and 64.1% of the working-age population, 560,392 people, were outside the labour force.

Census unemployment was 2.9%, or 8,976 people, and 5% for young people. The report says most people opt out of the labour force rather than look for work, so a wider measure of underused labour was 6.8%. 65% of employed people were self-employed, and agriculture, forestry and fishing was the main industry.

Official sources: INETL: Census 2022 Thematic Report on Labour Force (PDF)

What is the minimum wage in Timor-Leste?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2024, is $115 a month. It has not changed since 2012.

How much do workers in Timor-Leste earn on average?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2021, is $258 a month. It was $413 a month in 2013. It is 13th highest of 14 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is $527 a month. Of 90 countries with 2021 data, 78th highest.

How high is unemployment in Timor-Leste?

In 2025, the unemployment rate in Timor-Leste was 1.6%, according to the ILO. The peak was 4.7% in 2016 and the low 1.5% in 2024. It is 19th highest of 24 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 2.9%. World rank, highest first: 161st of 174.

What is youth unemployment in Timor-Leste?

3.7%: that is unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Timor-Leste for 2025, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 3.2% (2023) to 13.1% (2016). Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 7.5%, and Timor-Leste placed 21st highest of 24. World rank, highest first: 161st of 174.

How many people in Timor-Leste are working or looking for work?

67.0%: that is the labour force participation rate in Timor-Leste for 2025, according to the ILO. The peak was 69.7% in 2006 and the low 65.9% in 2020. It is 8th highest of 24 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 65.3%. Worldwide: 44th of 174.

How many women in Timor-Leste are working or looking for work?

In 2025, the labour force participation rate for women in Timor-Leste was 61.7%, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2006, at 64.0%; its low point was 2020, at 60.5%. It is 8th highest of 24 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 56.3%. World rank, highest first: 39th of 174.

How many people in Timor-Leste are employed?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 65.9%. The peak was 67.2% in 2006 and the low 63.7% in 2016. It is 8th highest of 24 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 63.1%. World rank, highest first: 33rd of 174.

How many workers in Timor-Leste are self-employed or family workers?

58.6%: that is the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Timor-Leste for 2025, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2006, at 61.0%; its low point was 2019, at 57.0%. East Asia & Pacific median: 40.0%; Timor-Leste is 5th highest of 24. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 41st highest.

How many people in Timor-Leste are employees?

The ILO puts the share of workers who are paid employees in Timor-Leste at 25.1% in 2025. The peak was 25.4% in 2019 and the low 21.9% in 2006. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 56.8%, and Timor-Leste placed 22nd highest of 24. Worldwide: 147th of 174.