Inactivity rate (ILO modelled estimates) in Africa
Africa: Inactivity rate (ILO modelled estimates) was 35.2 in 2027. ▲ Rising
Inactivity rate (ILO modelled estimates) in Africa, 1990–2027
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
In 2027, inactivity rate (ilo modelled estimates) in Africa stood at 35.2.
The figure is up 1.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, inactivity rate (ilo modelled estimates) in Africa peaked at 36.74 in 2020 and was at its lowest, 31.47, in 1994.
That places Africa 69th out of 87 groups with data for 2027, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 38 years of available data.
Inactivity rate (ILO modelled estimates) in Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 32.1 | — |
| 1991 | 31.98 | -0.4% |
| 1992 | 31.8 | -0.6% |
| 1993 | 31.68 | -0.4% |
| 1994 | 31.47 | -0.7% |
| 1995 | 31.49 | +0.1% |
| 1996 | 31.59 | +0.3% |
| 1997 | 31.71 | +0.4% |
| 1998 | 31.85 | +0.4% |
| 1999 | 31.77 | -0.3% |
| 2000 | 31.97 | +0.6% |
| 2001 | 32.17 | +0.6% |
| 2002 | 32.42 | +0.8% |
| 2003 | 32.38 | -0.1% |
| 2004 | 32.34 | -0.1% |
| 2005 | 32.31 | -0.1% |
| 2006 | 32.32 | +0.0% |
| 2007 | 32.34 | +0.1% |
| 2008 | 32.53 | +0.6% |
| 2009 | 32.74 | +0.6% |
| 2010 | 32.84 | +0.3% |
| 2011 | 32.84 | -0.0% |
| 2012 | 33.3 | +1.4% |
| 2013 | 33.04 | -0.8% |
| 2014 | 33.58 | +1.6% |
| 2015 | 33.93 | +1.0% |
| 2016 | 34.21 | +0.8% |
| 2017 | 34.81 | +1.8% |
| 2018 | 35.18 | +1.0% |
| 2019 | 35.48 | +0.9% |
| 2020 | 36.74 | +3.5% |
| 2021 | 36.31 | -1.2% |
| 2022 | 35.75 | -1.5% |
| 2023 | 35.2 | -1.6% |
| 2024 | 35.15 | -0.1% |
| 2025 | 35.17 | +0.1% |
| 2026 | 35.19 | +0.1% |
| 2027 | 35.2 | +0.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 31.74 | 31.47 | 32.1 | 10 |
| 2000s | 32.35 | 31.97 | 32.74 | 10 |
| 2010s | 33.92 | 32.84 | 35.48 | 10 |
| 2020s | 35.59 | 35.15 | 36.74 | 8 |
Countries ranked near Africa
- 66 Kyrgyzstan 42.82 compare
- 67 Montenegro 42.52 compare
- 68 Portugal 42.51 compare
- 69 Costa Rica 42.38 compare
- 70 Poland 42.36 compare
- 71 Ghana 42.27 compare
- 72 Vanuatu 42.23 compare
More gender data for Africa
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) 639,604 (2030)
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) (0-14), annual growth 1.18 % change on previous year (2030)
- Number of seats held by women in national parliaments 2,719 (2026)
- Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments 25.9% (2026)
- Proportion of women aged 15-49 years with anaemia 35.9% (2023)
- Proportion of women aged 15-49 years with anaemia, pregnant 42.5% (2023)
- Proportion of women aged 15-49 years with anaemia, non-pregnant 35.3% (2023)
- Proportion of women in managerial positions - 13th ICLS 40.3% (2025)
- Ratio for female members of parliaments (Ratio of the proportion of) 0.5% (2026)
- Ratio for female members of parliaments (Ratio of the proportion of) 0.4% (2026)
Frequently asked questions
- What is inactivity rate (ilo modelled estimates) in Africa?
- Inactivity rate (ilo modelled estimates) in Africa was 35.2 in 2027, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest inactivity rate (ilo modelled estimates) recorded in Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 36.74 in 2020.
- What is the lowest inactivity rate (ilo modelled estimates) recorded in Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 31.47 in 1994.
- How does Africa rank for inactivity rate (ilo modelled estimates)?
- Africa ranks 69th out of 87 groups with data for 2027.
- Is inactivity rate (ilo modelled estimates) rising or falling in Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 1.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Africa data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Inactivity rate (ILO modelled estimates) (15+). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 38 observations, free to reuse under ILO Terms of Use (attribution required).
About this data
Imputed observations are not based on national data, are subject to high uncertainty and should not be used for country comparisons or rankings. This series is based on the 13th ICLS definitions. This indicator conveys the number of persons of working age outside the labour force (that is, not employed or unemployed) expressed as a percentage of the working-age population. For more information, refer to the ILO Modelled Estimates (ILOEST) database description.