The labor market in Senegal experienced a marked deterioration in the fourth quarter of 2025. According to figures from the National Agency of Statistics and Demography (ANSD), the unemployment rate reached 23.3%, an increase of 3.3 percentage points year-on-year.
This decline is accompanied by a drop in labor force participation. The activity rate now stands at 55.5% of the working-age population, down by 1.5 points, reflecting growing discouragement in the face of difficulties in accessing employment.
Regional disparities remain significant: unemployment affects rural areas (29.2%) more than urban areas (19.6%). Young people are particularly vulnerable, with a rate of 27.4%, compared to 18.7% among adults. Women are also more exposed, with lower participation in the labor market than men, regardless of their place of residence.
However, according to the strict definition of the International Labour Organization (ILO), the unemployment rate stands at 5.4%, revealing a significant gap with the broader indicator that includes underemployment and discouraged workers.
These figures come at a time when Senegalese authorities have made youth employment a priority, against a backdrop of growing demographic and social pressure.
