Pakistan Unemployment rate (annual) in Pakistan

International Monetary Fund · Annual · Importance

IMF forecast (WEO): 2026: 6.9% 2027: 6.5% 2028: 6.0% 2029: 5.5% 2030: 5.0% 2031: 5.0%
5.9% (1999) ANUAL · % · Annual · CSV
Period%
Jan 1999 5.9%
Jan 1998 5.9%
Jan 1997 6.1%
Jan 1996 5.4%
Jan 1995 5.4%
Jan 1994 4.8%
Jan 1993 4.7%
Jan 1992 5.9%
Jan 1991 5.9%
Jan 1990 3.1%

About this indicator

Source
International Monetary Fund
Frequency
Annual
Release
Published annually, covering the full year and subject to revision.
What it is
Measures the share of Pakistan's labour force that is without a job but available for and seeking work. It is published by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) from its labour force survey.
How it's calculated
Calculated as the unemployed over the labour force times 100, under ILO criteria and as an annual average. Low labour participation, especially among women, shapes the size of the labour force and the outcome.
Market implications
In an economy under heavy balance-of-payments strain and IMF programmes, employment measures the ability to absorb a fast-growing young population. A weak market deepens social tensions; the State Bank of Pakistan focuses on inflation and the rupee.
Limitations
The survey is conducted infrequently, reducing timeliness, and a low rate coexists with vast informality and underemployment. Low female participation and sampling error limit the reading, which is also subject to revisions.