Top 10 African countries with the lowest unemployment rate

Africa stands at a crossroads, grappling with a youth unemployment crisis that could reshape its future.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has sounded the alarm, warning that if urgent action isn’t taken, up to 100 million young Africans could be jobless by 2030.

Every year, between 8 and 11 million young people enter the job market, but with only 3 million formal jobs created annually, the gap is staggering.

While countries like South Africa, Djibouti, and Eswatini record some of the highest unemployment rates on the continent—29.83%, 27.85%, and 24.65% respectively, according to Statista—some nations have managed to buck the trend.

Despite widespread economic challenges, a handful of African countries have reported impressively low unemployment rates, offering a glimmer of hope in a region often defined by job scarcity.

Countries like Niger, Burundi, and Chad have maintained low unemployment rates, thanks to policies that prioritize key sectors like agriculture and tourism, foster entrepreneurship, and support the informal economy, which provides livelihoods for millions.

Rwanda, for example, has harnessed its ICT sector and youth-targeted government initiatives to create employment opportunities. Meanwhile, Seychelles leverages its thriving tourism industry, and Uganda relies on its robust agricultural sector to sustain its workforce.

However, these low unemployment rates don’t always equate to prosperity. In many cases, they reflect the prevalence of informal, low-paying jobs that mask deeper challenges of underemployment and income inequality.

For Africa to truly address its employment crisis, efforts must go beyond statistics, focusing on creating decent, sustainable jobs that can uplift millions from poverty.