Eswatini—Unemployment (%)
Category: LaborSource: World Bank World Development Indicators ↗Global Rank: #1 of 187Series years: 2000–2025
Latest Value
34.2%
2025
YoY Change
-1.3%
2024 → 2025
Global Rank
#1
of 187 countries
Maximum
36.5%
2022
Minimum
22.7%
2016
CAGR
+1.3%
26 years
Last
34.2%
Previous
34.6%
Highest
36.5%
Lowest
22.7%
Unit
% of total labor force
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
Eswatini's unemployment rate was 34.2% in 2025, ranking #1 out of 187 countries. This represents a -1.3% change from 2024. Over the past 26 years, the highest recorded value was 36.5% (2022) and the lowest was 22.7% (2016). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Eswatini — Unemployment (%): 34.202 % of total labor force for reference year 2025. Source: World Bank (World Development Indicators). Reference year does not establish final observed status; publisher vintage is not verified here.
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 34.2% | -1.3% |
| 2024 | 34.6% | +0.1% |
| 2023 | 34.6% | -5.1% |
| 2022 | 36.5% | +6.8% |
| 2021 | 34.2% | +3.6% |
| 2020 | 33.0% | +16.9% |
| 2019 | 28.2% | +6.6% |
| 2018 | 26.5% | +7.9% |
| 2017 | 24.5% | +8.0% |
| 2016 | 22.7% | -3.0% |
| 2015 | 23.4% | -2.1% |
| 2014 | 23.9% | -2.5% |
| 2013 | 24.6% | -2.7% |
| 2012 | 25.2% | -3.4% |
| 2011 | 26.1% | -2.8% |
| 2010 | 26.9% | -2.3% |
| 2009 | 27.5% | -1.4% |
| 2008 | 27.9% | -1.2% |
| 2007 | 28.2% | +2.0% |
| 2006 | 27.7% | +1.7% |
| 2005 | 27.2% | +1.9% |
| 2004 | 26.7% | +1.7% |
| 2003 | 26.3% | +1.9% |
| 2002 | 25.8% | +2.1% |
| 2001 | 25.2% | +2.8% |
| 2000 | 24.5% |
Top Countries — Unemployment (%)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eswatini | 34.2% | 2025 |
| 2 | South Africa | 32.4% | 2025 |
| 3 | Djibouti | 26.0% | 2025 |
| 4 | Botswana | 24.5% | 2025 |
| 5 | West Bank and Gaza | 24.4% | 2022 |
| 6 | Gabon | 20.2% | 2025 |
| 7 | Congo, Rep. | 19.9% | 2025 |
| 8 | Namibia | 19.3% | 2025 |
| 9 | Somalia, Fed. Rep. | 18.9% | 2025 |
| 10 | Libya | 18.8% | 2025 |
About This Indicator
Definition
Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment.
Methodology
Data compiled by ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO), uri: https://ilostat.ilo.org/data/bulk/, publisher: ILOSTAT, type: external database, date accessed: January 17, 2026.
Unit
% of total labor force