Unemployment rate in Gabon: 20.2% in 2025, ranking 5th of 184 countries. In 2010 it was 20.4%.
Data last updated · Period: 2010–2025
Understanding the chart
The line chart above tracks unemployment rate in Gabon for each year from 2010 to 2025, 16 data points in all. Each dot is one year; the first and last years and the highest point are labelled with their values, and the vertical scale is in % of labor force. All values in this period were above zero. The data table below the chart lists every value, and you can download the data, embed the chart or share it from the buttons above. The figures cover 2010–2025 and come from World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0).
Key insights
- Between 2010 and 2025, Gabon's unemployment fell from 20.4% to 20.2%, a fall of 0.2 percentage points.
- The highest value in this period was 21.3% in 2020; the lowest was 19.7% in 2012.
- Recently, the figure has moved up and down over the last three years (2024: 20.1%; 2025: 20.2%).
- That is 15.4 percentage points above the world figure of 4.8%.
- Gabon has the 5th-highest value of 184 countries with recent data.
- Gabon has the highest value of the 9 countries in Middle Africa with recent data; the typical (median) value there is 8.3%.
Analysis
Averaged over periods, the figure was 19.9% in 2010 to 2014, 20.2% in 2015 to 2019 and 20.5% in 2020 onwards. The value went up in 8 of the 15 year-to-year steps and down in 7. The biggest one-year rise came in 2020 (+0.9 percentage points). The biggest one-year fall came in 2022 (−0.9 percentage points). Year to year, the figure typically varied by about 0.5 percentage points around its average of 20.2%, a stable pattern.
What it means
Unemployment above 8% means many people are looking for work: hiring is easier for businesses in Gabon, but household spending tends to be weaker. Compared with its neighbours in Middle Africa, where the typical value is 8.3%, Gabon is 11.8 percentage points higher.
Related figures
- Unemployment (% of labor force) by country, 2025: 34.2% (highest: Eswatini). The share of people who are available for and looking for work but have none.
- Unemployment rate in Angola, 2010–2025: 14.1% (Unemployment, 2025 · 17th of 184). Unemployment rate in Angola: 14.1% in 2025, ranking 17th of 184 countries.
- Unemployment rate in Central African Republic, 2010–2025: 6.3% (Unemployment, 2025 · 70th of 184). Unemployment rate in Central African Republic: 6.3% in 2025, ranking 70th of 184 countries.
About this statistic
The share of people who are available for and looking for work but have none. Modeled estimates from the International Labour Organization. Affects how easy it is to hire and how much customers can spend. Many people in some countries work informally, which unemployment rates do not capture.
Employment and labour force figures show how many people earn an income and how tight the job market is, which shapes both consumer demand and hiring costs. The figures come from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, which compile official national statistics in a consistent form so countries can be compared.
Questions and answers
What is the unemployment rate in Gabon?
20.2% (Unemployment, 2025 · 5th of 184). Unemployment rate in Gabon: 20.2% in 2025, ranking 5th of 184 countries. In 2010 it was 20.4%.
How has unemployment in Gabon changed since 2010?
Between 2010 and 2025, Gabon's unemployment fell from 20.4% to 20.2%, a fall of 0.2 percentage points. The highest value in this period was 21.3% in 2020; the lowest was 19.7% in 2012.
Where does this data come from?
From World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0), covering 2010–2025. The share of people who are available for and looking for work but have none. Modeled estimates from the International Labour Organization. Affects how easy it is to hire and how much customers can spend. Many people in some countries work informally, which unemployment rates do not capture.
Data
| Year | Unemployment (% of labor force) |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 20.4% |
| 2011 | 19.9% |
| 2012 | 19.7% |
| 2013 | 19.7% |
| 2014 | 19.9% |
| 2015 | 19.9% |
| 2016 | 20.1% |
| 2017 | 20.3% |
| 2018 | 20.5% |
| 2019 | 20.4% |
| 2020 | 21.3% |
| 2021 | 21.2% |
| 2022 | 20.3% |
| 2023 | 20.2% |
| 2024 | 20.1% |
| 2025 | 20.2% |
Source and notes
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0). Period: 2010–2025. Coverage: Gabon.
The share of people who are available for and looking for work but have none. Modeled estimates from the International Labour Organization. Affects how easy it is to hire and how much customers can spend. Many people in some countries work informally, which unemployment rates do not capture.
Cite this statistic
Please also credit the original source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0).Related statistics
- Unemployment (% of labor force) by country, 2025
- Unemployment rate in Angola, 2010–2025
- Unemployment rate in Central African Republic, 2010–2025
- Unemployment rate in Cameroon, 2010–2025
- Unemployment rate in Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2010–2025
- GDP of Gabon, 2010–2025
- Economic growth (GDP growth) in Gabon, 2010–2025
- GDP per person in Gabon, 2010–2025
- GDP per person, adjusted for prices (PPP, international $) in Gabon, 2010–2024
All Gabon data: economy, people, jobs and digital in one place
Need more detail? Build a free India market report for any business and state.
Last reviewed November 9, 2026. Startup costs are estimates; check local prices, licensing and tax rules before you commit money.
