Namibia—Male Unemployment (%)
Category: LaborSource: World Bank World Development Indicators ↗Global Rank: #6 of 187Series years: 2000–2025
Latest Value
20.1%
2025
YoY Change
-0.8%
2024 → 2025
Global Rank
#6
of 187 countries
Maximum
22.5%
2020
Minimum
14.7%
2012
CAGR
+0.2%
26 years
Last
20.1%
Previous
20.3%
Highest
22.5%
Lowest
14.7%
Unit
% of male labor force
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
Namibia's male unemployment (%) was 20.1% in 2025, ranking #6 out of 187 countries. This represents a -0.8% change from 2024. Over the past 26 years, the highest recorded value was 22.5% (2020) and the lowest was 14.7% (2012). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Namibia — Male Unemployment (%): 20.12 % of male 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 | 20.1% | -0.8% |
| 2024 | 20.3% | +0.0% |
| 2023 | 20.3% | -2.4% |
| 2022 | 20.8% | -7.3% |
| 2021 | 22.4% | -0.4% |
| 2020 | 22.5% | +6.2% |
| 2019 | 21.2% | +0.2% |
| 2018 | 21.1% | -2.1% |
| 2017 | 21.6% | -1.1% |
| 2016 | 21.8% | +14.1% |
| 2015 | 19.1% | +14.4% |
| 2014 | 16.7% | -3.8% |
| 2013 | 17.4% | +18.3% |
| 2012 | 14.7% | -16.4% |
| 2011 | 17.6% | -13.8% |
| 2010 | 20.4% | +0.1% |
| 2009 | 20.4% | +2.0% |
| 2008 | 19.9% | +0.2% |
| 2007 | 19.9% | +2.1% |
| 2006 | 19.5% | -0.4% |
| 2005 | 19.6% | +0.8% |
| 2004 | 19.4% | -1.8% |
| 2003 | 19.8% | +0.9% |
| 2002 | 19.6% | +0.7% |
| 2001 | 19.5% | +1.7% |
| 2000 | 19.1% |
Top Countries — Male Unemployment (%)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eswatini | 32.5% | 2025 |
| 2 | South Africa | 31.0% | 2025 |
| 3 | Djibouti | 21.8% | 2025 |
| 4 | Botswana | 21.5% | 2025 |
| 5 | West Bank and Gaza | 20.2% | 2022 |
| 6 | Namibia | 20.1% | 2025 |
| 7 | St. Vincent and the Grenadines | 19.5% | 2025 |
| 8 | Congo, Rep. | 18.7% | 2025 |
| 9 | Somalia, Fed. Rep. | 16.4% | 2025 |
| 10 | Yemen, Rep. | 16.3% | 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 male labor force