Countries with the Most Self-Employed Workers (2026) (2025)
Source: World Bank·25 countries·Updated 2025
Compare the share of total employment classified as self-employed in World Bank/ILO estimates. This differs from labor-force participation.
Chad leads with self-employed (% of total) of 91.6%.
Niger ranks #2 at 89.5%.
Sierra Leone ranks #3 at 88.8%.
Madagascar ranks #4 at 88.3%.
Nigeria ranks #5 at 86.2%.
Top 25 Countries by Self-Employed (% of total)
| # | Country | Self-Employed (% of total) | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Chad | 91.6% | 2025 |
| 2 |  Niger | 89.5% | 2025 |
| 3 |  Sierra Leone | 88.8% | 2025 |
| 4 |  Madagascar | 88.3% | 2025 |
| 5 |  Nigeria | 86.2% | 2025 |
| 6 |  Central African Republic | 85.4% | 2025 |
| 7 |  Tanzania | 85.3% | 2025 |
| 8 |  Mozambique | 85.3% | 2025 |
| 9 |  Congo, Dem. Rep. | 85.1% | 2025 |
| 10 |  Burundi | 84.9% | 2025 |
| 11 |  Ethiopia | 84.3% | 2025 |
| 12 |  Afghanistan | 83.4% | 2025 |
| 13 |  Burkina Faso | 82.6% | 2025 |
| 14 |  South Sudan | 82.5% | 2023 |
| 15 |  Guinea | 81.9% | 2025 |
| 16 |  Uganda | 80.5% | 2025 |
| 17 |  Benin | 79.8% | 2025 |
| 18 |  Papua New Guinea | 78.7% | 2025 |
| 19 |  Nepal | 78.6% | 2025 |
| 20 |  Liberia | 78.3% | 2025 |
| 21 |  Lao PDR | 77.1% | 2025 |
| 22 |  Haiti | 76.8% | 2025 |
| 23 |  Congo, Rep. | 76.8% | 2025 |
| 24 |  Togo | 76.6% | 2025 |
| 25 |  Mali | 76.4% | 2025 |
Data from 188 countries is available. View full rankings →
FAQ
What is the highest self-employed (% of total) in 2025?
Chad has the highest self-employed (% of total) at 91.6% in 2025.
How many countries are included in this ranking?
This article features the top 25 countries out of 188 with available data. Full rankings available on the indicator page.
Where does this data come from?
Data is sourced from the World Bank. It is updated regularly as new releases become available.