South Sudan—Unemployment (%)
Category: LaborSource: World Bank World Development Indicators ↗Global Rank: #23 of 187Series years: 2000–2023
Latest Value
12.4%
2023
YoY Change
-0.8%
2022 → 2023
Global Rank
#23
of 187 countries
Maximum
14.2%
2020
Minimum
12.2%
2003
CAGR
+0.0%
24 years
Last
12.4%
Previous
12.5%
Highest
14.2%
Lowest
12.2%
Unit
% of total labor force
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
South Sudan's unemployment rate was 12.4% in 2023, ranking #23 out of 187 countries. This represents a -0.8% change from 2022. Over the past 24 years, the highest recorded value was 14.2% (2020) and the lowest was 12.2% (2003). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
South Sudan — Unemployment (%): 12.374 % of total labor force for reference year 2023. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 12.4% | -0.8% |
| 2022 | 12.5% | -10.6% |
| 2021 | 13.9% | -2.1% |
| 2020 | 14.2% | +12.6% |
| 2019 | 12.7% | -1.5% |
| 2018 | 12.9% | -1.0% |
| 2017 | 13.0% | +1.0% |
| 2016 | 12.9% | +3.1% |
| 2015 | 12.5% | -0.8% |
| 2014 | 12.6% | -0.8% |
| 2013 | 12.7% | -1.1% |
| 2012 | 12.8% | +1.7% |
| 2011 | 12.6% | +0.9% |
| 2010 | 12.5% | +0.3% |
| 2009 | 12.4% | +1.1% |
| 2008 | 12.3% | +0.3% |
| 2007 | 12.3% | -0.0% |
| 2006 | 12.3% | +0.0% |
| 2005 | 12.3% | +0.1% |
| 2004 | 12.3% | +0.2% |
| 2003 | 12.2% | -0.0% |
| 2002 | 12.2% | -0.4% |
| 2001 | 12.3% | -0.3% |
| 2000 | 12.3% |
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