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Top 15 Countries with high unemployment rates in the World

Top 15 Countries with high unemployment rates in the World – Unemployment is one of the biggest challenges facing economies around the world. When unemployment is high, it indicates that the economy is not utilizing its human resources efficiently and there is wasted potential. Some countries have persistently high rates of unemployment due to various economic, political and social factors. Based on data from sources like Statista, Investopedia, World Population Review and GlobalData, here is a look at the top 15 countries with the highest unemployment rates globally:Top 15 Countries with high unemployment rates in the World

The Top 15 Countries with high unemployment rates in the World are:

#1 South Africa – 33.6%

With an unemployment rate of 33.6%, South Africa tops the list of countries with the highest unemployment. South Africa’s jobless rate has remained over 20% for the past two decades. The economy has struggled to create enough new jobs for the expanding working-age population. Declining commodity prices, power shortages, depressed global demand, and policy uncertainty have constrained private investment and job creation. South Africa’s unemployment crisis affects youth and rural populations disproportionately. Over 64% of South Africans aged 15-24 are unemployed. The government has emphasized employment creation as a top priority, but then the COVID-19 pandemic further impacted the job market. Tackling skills shortages, improving education and training, attracting investment and implementing supportive monetary and fiscal policies are seen as essential to addressing South Africa’s unemployment challenge.


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#2 Djibouti – 28.4%

Djibouti’s unemployment rate stands at 28.4%. As a small country, Djibouti’s labour market lacks dynamism and diversity. Much of the unemployment is structural and long-term, persisting even in periods of economic growth. The economy relies significantly on port services and operations at sea terminals that account for over 85% of national revenues. However, the port industry employs only a small share of the labour force. Lack of advanced education and technical skills among job seekers also contributes to unemployment. Recent investments in transport infrastructure, along with strategies to develop tourism, manufacturing and renewable energy are aimed at diversifying Djibouti’s economy and addressing unemployment.

#3 Eswatini – 25.8%

Formerly known as Swaziland, the country was officially renamed Eswatini in 2018. Eswatini’s unemployment rate stands at 25.8%. High HIV/AIDS prevalence has negatively impacted labour force participation and productivity. Economic reliance on agriculture, vulnerable to weather shocks, adds to job instability. The underdeveloped private sector, poor workforce skills and limited formal job opportunities outside the public sector are other factors underlying Eswatini’s unemployment problem. The country also has the world’s highest HIV prevalence, further constraining the labour force. The government is working on reforms to improve skills development and encourage entrepreneurship and small business growth to create employment.

#4 West Bank and Gaza – 24.9%

The combination of stagnant economic growth and a rapidly expanding labour force has resulted in high unemployment in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The unemployment rate stands at 24.9%. Restrictions imposed by the occupation and recurring conflicts exacerbate labour market weaknesses in the Palestinian territories. Private sector development is also hampered by political instability and legal/regulatory obstacles. The public sector dominates employment, while opportunities in the private sector remain limited. High population growth rates imply that many new job seekers will continue to enter the labour force in the coming years. Enhancing the private investment climate and implementing public employment schemes are key policy priorities for addressing chronic unemployment.

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#5 Botswana – 24.7%

Botswana has an unemployment rate of 24.7%. Historically an upper middle-income economy, Botswana has struggled with persistent unemployment in recent years. Economic growth has been modest, insufficient to absorb the growing labour force. Diamond mining remains a dominant industry, while the non-mining private sector is underdeveloped, offering limited employment opportunities. Drought conditions have weighed on agricultural sector employment. The tourism sector has also been negatively impacted by some unforeseen circumstances. With over 60% of Botswana’s unemployed being youth aged 20-24, job creation and skills development initiatives targeting the youth are crucial priorities. The government is promoting economic diversification and implementing initiatives like the Youth Development Fund to boost employment.

#6 Grenada – 22.9%

The Caribbean island nation of Grenada has an unemployment rate of 22.9%. Like many other Caribbean countries, Grenada’s economy is heavily tourism-dependent, accounting for around a fourth of GDP. Travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic led to major job losses in the tourism and hospitality sectors which some haven’t still recovered even now. Lack of economic diversification and over-reliance on tourism exacerbates unemployment. Most jobs are concentrated in the low-productivity informal sector. The emigration of skilled workers has also depleted the labour force. Grenada’s government should focus on skills upgrading programs, small business promotion and infrastructure development to ease unemployment pressures.JAMB portal

#7 Lesotho – 22.4%

Lesotho is a small landlocked country fully surrounded by South Africa. It has a jobless rate of 22.4%. Unemployment tends to be higher in urban areas at over 25%, driven by migration from rural areas. The underdeveloped private sector, low foreign direct investment, poverty, inequality and the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic have constrained employment creation in Lesotho. The economy and workforce remain heavily dependent on remittances from migrant labour in South Africa’s mines. However, retrenchments of Lesotho miners in South Africa have increased joblessness. The textile industry provides the majority of formal sector jobs. Reducing inequality, improving healthcare and education access and investing in infrastructure development are among should be the government’s priority policy measures to address Lesotho’s unemployment woes.

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#8 Equatorial Guinea – 22.2%

Equatorial Guinea is a Central African country comprised of an island and a mainland region. It has an unemployment rate of 22.2%. The discovery of large oil reserves in the 1990s transformed Equatorial Guinea into one of the largest oil producers in sub-Saharan Africa. However, oil wealth has not translated into shared prosperity or broad-based development. The petroleum sector employs only 1% of the population. Outside the dominant oil industry, job opportunities remain scarce. Heavy dependence on oil revenues means the economy and job market are vulnerable to oil price fluctuations. High inequality, poor education, and inadequate infrastructure hamper the development of a vibrant private sector. As oil reserves deplete, economic diversification and private sector development will be essential to absorb the country’s fast-growing labour force and reduce unemployment.Information guide Nigeria

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#9 Gabon – 20.4%

Gabon is another oil-dependent country with high unemployment. The unemployment rate stands at around 20.4%. Gabon’s oil sector accounts for 80% of exports and 45% of GDP. But it generates few jobs, employing just 5% of the labour force. The non-oil private sector is underdeveloped. Lack of economic diversification means the job market is concentrated in low-productivity sectors like agriculture and fishing that engage much of the rural workforce. Gabon also grapples with a mismatch between education and skills to the needs of the labour market. Boosting human capital via training programs and increasing infrastructure investment to support small businesses will be important for diversifying Gabon’s economy and addressing unemployment.NYSC Portal

#10 Namibia – 19.9%

Namibia faces high unemployment with a jobless rate of 19.9% as of 2020. Despite being one of Africa’s most stable and best-governed countries, Namibia’s unemployment remains elevated. Historical inequalities, skill mismatches, low economic growth and drought conditions constrain its labour market. The economy relies heavily on extractive industries like mining and fishing which contribute over 50% of foreign exchange earnings but employ just 3% of the workforce. Government, construction, retail and hospitality are other big employers. But limited advancement and growth in the services sector hampers job creation. Namibia also has one of the most unequal income distributions in the world. Tackling poverty and inequality while investing in human capital development is essential to open up economic opportunities for marginalized sections and reduce unemployment.Romantic love message

#11 Curacao – 19.1%

Curacao is a Caribbean island country located off Venezuela’s north coast. It has an unemployment rate of around 19.1%. Tourism is the backbone of Curacao’s economy, accounting for over 18% of GDP. However, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a collapse in tourist arrivals, leading to major job losses transversing to the present. The lack of economic diversification beyond tourism has amplified unemployment pressures. High labour costs have also eroded competitiveness in global markets. Recovery of the crucial tourism sector along with reforms to improve labour market flexibility and productivity growth are vital to counter unemployment. The government should focus on upskilling programs and providing employment support to vulnerable groups like youth and women.

#12 Kosovo – 18.9%

Kosovo has one of the youngest populations in Europe. It suffers from chronic unemployment with a jobless rate of 18.9%. Kosovo’s labour market is impacted by sluggish economic growth, investment shortages and widespread informal employment. Almost 40% of unemployed Kosovars are youths. Education outcomes lag in skills demanded in the labour market, reflecting the need for better job-oriented training and skills development. Heavy reliance on remittances and the public sector for employment also underscores the need for stronger private-sector development. Ongoing structural reforms, improving the business environment and investing in infrastructure are among Kosovo’s policy priorities to unlock faster growth and job creation opportunities.

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#13 Burundi – 18.8%

Burundi has an unemployment rate of 18.8%, the second highest in the East African Community region. A history of ethnic conflict, political tensions, widespread poverty, and low levels of education have constrained Burundi’s economic prospects and job creation. Over 90% of the workforce is employed in subsistence agriculture and informal sectors, indicating limited wage-paying job opportunities. Rapid population growth has also exerted pressure on the labour market. The government faces challenges of diversifying the narrow export base beyond coffee which accounts for 80% of foreign exchange earnings. Attracting private investment to develop manufacturing and services sectors, improving skills training, and enhancing regional integration are key focus areas to boost productive employment over the long run.Good morning My Love Message

#14 Zimbabwe – 18.7%

Once considered the breadbasket of Africa, Zimbabwe has suffered from economic instability, hyperinflation and systemic unemployment with a jobless rate of 18.7%. Zimbabwe’s unemployment crisis has complex origins in the land reforms of the 1990s that disrupted agriculture which supports 60-70% of the population. Economic mismanagement and high inflation during the Mugabe era also eroded competitiveness. Political tensions and policy uncertainties continue to hamper private investment and job creation. Zimbabwe’s large informal sector and subsistence farming mask the extent of joblessness. Reviving private sector confidence, reducing inflation, and improving education and health services are critical for addressing the country’s unemployment woes.

#15 Chad – 18.6%

Chad has the highest unemployment in the Central African region with a jobless rate of 18.6%. As one of the world’s poorest and most fragile countries, Chad has struggled with underdevelopment, poverty, and lack of economic diversification. Over 80% of Chadians rely on self-employment in agriculture and livestock herding. Chad’s overdependence on oil exports makes the economy and job market highly vulnerable to volatile oil prices. Declining oil production and revenues in recent years have reduced fiscal capacity to invest in diversification and job creation programs. Chad also has the world’s third-highest total fertility rate which contributes to a rapidly growing labour force. Boosting private sector development outside the oil industry and investing in education is among Chad’s key priorities to address persistent unemployment.

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Conclusion:

While unemployment is a complex socioeconomic challenge, some broad policy implications emerge from the experiences of these countries. Strategies aimed at economic diversification, enhancing human capital, improving the environment for private sector development, investing in infrastructure, and strengthening regional integration are important for tackling unemployment over the long run. Demographic factors also play a role in unemployment pressures across many countries. Additionally, supportive macroeconomic policies, political stability and good governance are essential to foster the growth needed for sustainable job creation. The experiences of these countries highlight that a multi-pronged approach is required, involving key stakeholders – governments, businesses, workers and civil society – to address the multifaceted issue of unemployment. With appropriate strategies, high-unemployment countries can tap into their human resource endowments more effectively to unlock their economic potential.

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