Zambia’s unemployment rate fell from 12.9% in 2024 to 9.9% in 2025, according to the results of the latest labour force survey published by the Zambia Statistics Agency, in collaboration with the Ministries of Labour and Finance.
Despite this decline, regional disparities remain significant. Western Province has the highest unemployment rate in the country, at 20.6%, while Lusaka Province records the lowest level, at 5.4%.
The survey counts 4.76 million employed people out of a working-age population of 12.82 million people aged 15 and over. The labour force stands at 5.28 million people, including 523,751 unemployed individuals.
The labour force participation rate increased from 38% in 2024 to 41.2% in 2025. Meanwhile, the employment-to-population ratio stood at 37.1%.
Among those aged 15 to 24, the unemployment rate reaches 23.9%, more than twice the national average. Approximately 2.09 million young people in this age group are not in employment, education, or training.
Informal employment also plays a significant role in Zambia’s economy. It accounts for 3.02 million people, representing 63.4% of all employed individuals.
In terms of wages, the average monthly salary of employees stands at 7,025 kwachas. Men earn an average of 7,180 kwachas, compared with 6,685 kwachas for women. As an indication, one US dollar is equivalent to approximately 20 kwachas, according to the exchange rate provided.
The Statistician-General, Sheila Mudenda, emphasized the need to promote productive employment, particularly for young people, women, and people with disabilities. She also highlighted the importance of facilitating the transition from education and training to the labour market.
These results highlight the challenges that persist in Zambia’s labour market, particularly youth unemployment, the significant share of the informal sector, and disparities between provinces, despite the improvement in the national unemployment rate.