Nigeria—Unemployment Rate (%)
Latest Value
22.6%
2018
YoY Change
+29.1%
2017 → 2018
Maximum
22.6%
2018
Minimum
5.1%
2010
CAGR
+20.5%
9 years
Last
22.6%
Previous
17.5%
Highest
22.6%
Lowest
5.1%
Unit
percent of labor force
Source
IMF World Economic Outlook
Nigeria's unemployment rate was 22.6% in 2018. This represents a +29.1% change from 2017. Over the past 9 years, the highest recorded value was 22.6% (2018) and the lowest was 5.1% (2010). Data sourced from the IMF World Economic Outlook.
Source: IMF World Economic Outlook
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 22.6% | +29.1% |
| 2017 | 17.5% | +30.6% |
| 2016 | 13.4% | +48.9% |
| 2015 | 9.0% | +15.4% |
| 2014 | 7.8% | -22.0% |
| 2013 | 10.0% | -5.7% |
| 2012 | 10.6% | +76.7% |
| 2011 | 6.0% | +17.6% |
| 2010 | 5.1% |
Top Countries — Unemployment Rate (%)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sudan | 61.3% | 2026 |
| 2 | South Africa | 32.5% | 2026 |
| 3 | Jordan | 21.3% | 2026 |
| 4 | Tunisia | 15.2% | 2025 |
| 5 | Georgia | 13.9% | 2026 |
| 6 | Armenia | 12.8% | 2026 |
| 7 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 12.6% | 2026 |
| 8 | Morocco | 12.2% | 2026 |
| 9 | North Macedonia | 11.5% | 2026 |
| 10 | Panama | 10.4% | 2026 |
About This Indicator
Definition
Unemployed people as a share of the labor force.
Methodology
Most countries follow the International Labour Organization (ILO) definition: unemployed persons are those of working age who are without work, have actively sought work in the past four weeks, and are available to take up work. The labor force includes both employed and unemployed persons. The IMF compiles data from national labor force surveys and administrative records.
Unit
percent of labor force
Source: International Monetary Fund (World Economic Outlook)Available series: 2010–2018View original source →