Inactivity rate (ILO modelled estimates) in Western Africa
Western Africa: Inactivity rate (ILO modelled estimates) was 26.63 in 2027. ▲ Rising
Inactivity rate (ILO modelled estimates) in Western Africa, 1990–2027
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
The most recent figure for inactivity rate (ilo modelled estimates) in Western Africa is 26.63, measured in 2027.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.2% on the previous year and down 0.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, inactivity rate (ilo modelled estimates) in Western Africa peaked at 28.28 in 2020 and was at its lowest, 23.29, in 1995.
That places Western Africa 86th 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 Western Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 24.38 | — |
| 1991 | 24.08 | -1.2% |
| 1992 | 23.78 | -1.2% |
| 1993 | 23.59 | -0.8% |
| 1994 | 23.33 | -1.1% |
| 1995 | 23.29 | -0.2% |
| 1996 | 23.42 | +0.6% |
| 1997 | 23.49 | +0.3% |
| 1998 | 23.58 | +0.4% |
| 1999 | 23.62 | +0.2% |
| 2000 | 23.74 | +0.5% |
| 2001 | 23.85 | +0.5% |
| 2002 | 23.99 | +0.6% |
| 2003 | 24.17 | +0.7% |
| 2004 | 24.29 | +0.5% |
| 2005 | 24.47 | +0.7% |
| 2006 | 24.62 | +0.6% |
| 2007 | 24.78 | +0.6% |
| 2008 | 24.95 | +0.7% |
| 2009 | 25.07 | +0.5% |
| 2010 | 25.26 | +0.7% |
| 2011 | 25.42 | +0.6% |
| 2012 | 25.59 | +0.7% |
| 2013 | 25.87 | +1.1% |
| 2014 | 26.2 | +1.3% |
| 2015 | 26.39 | +0.7% |
| 2016 | 26.38 | -0.0% |
| 2017 | 26.77 | +1.5% |
| 2018 | 26.93 | +0.6% |
| 2019 | 27.08 | +0.6% |
| 2020 | 28.28 | +4.5% |
| 2021 | 27.65 | -2.2% |
| 2022 | 26.98 | -2.4% |
| 2023 | 26.39 | -2.2% |
| 2024 | 26.45 | +0.2% |
| 2025 | 26.52 | +0.3% |
| 2026 | 26.58 | +0.2% |
| 2027 | 26.63 | +0.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 23.66 | 23.29 | 24.38 | 10 |
| 2000s | 24.39 | 23.74 | 25.07 | 10 |
| 2010s | 26.19 | 25.26 | 27.08 | 10 |
| 2020s | 26.94 | 26.39 | 28.28 | 8 |
Countries ranked near Western Africa
More gender data for Western Africa
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) 198,948 (2030)
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) (0-14), annual growth 0.9192 % change on previous year (2030)
- Number of seats held by women in national parliaments 454 (2026)
- Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments 19.9% (2026)
- Proportion of women aged 15-49 years with anaemia 41.9% (2023)
- Proportion of women aged 15-49 years with anaemia, pregnant 49.4% (2023)
- Proportion of women aged 15-49 years with anaemia, non-pregnant 41.1% (2023)
- Proportion of women in managerial positions - 13th ICLS 42.3% (2025)
- Ratio for female members of parliaments (Ratio of the proportion of) 0.4% (2026)
- Ratio for female members of parliaments (Ratio of the proportion of) 0.3% (2026)
Frequently asked questions
- What is inactivity rate (ilo modelled estimates) in Western Africa?
- Inactivity rate (ilo modelled estimates) in Western Africa was 26.63 in 2027, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest inactivity rate (ilo modelled estimates) recorded in Western Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 28.28 in 2020.
- What is the lowest inactivity rate (ilo modelled estimates) recorded in Western Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 23.29 in 1995.
- How does Western Africa rank for inactivity rate (ilo modelled estimates)?
- Western Africa ranks 86th out of 87 groups with data for 2027.
- Is inactivity rate (ilo modelled estimates) rising or falling in Western Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 0.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Western 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
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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.