Photo: FX derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 03 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Gabon: Work & Labour
Can people find work, and on what terms?
Gabon is placed 177th of 182 countries on work & labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Employment-to-Population Ratio 40.77 (2025); Labour Income Share 28.87 (2025).
Share
Work & Labour
177th
of 182 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Gabon on work & labour — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Employment-to-Population Ratio
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
40.77
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Higher is better
Gabon: 40.77. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 21.21 (São Tomé and Príncipe) to 86.9 (Qatar); the world median is 57.72.
- World median
- 57.72
- Best in Middle Africa
- 68.8 Central African Republic
- Land neighbours
- Cameroon 62.82 · Republic of the Congo 54.34 · Equatorial Guinea 55.47
Key 3 of 4
Unemployment Rate
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
20.15
Unemployment (% of labour force)
Lower is better
Gabon: 20.15. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.13 (Qatar) to 34.2 (Eswatini); the world median is 5.084.
- World median
- 5.084
- Best in Middle Africa
- 1.057 Chad
- Land neighbours
- Cameroon 3.602 · Republic of the Congo 19.88 · Equatorial Guinea 8.337
Key 4 of 4
Vulnerable Employment
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
29.81
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Lower is better
Gabon: 29.81. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.456 (Qatar) to 90.22 (Chad); the world median is 28.67.
- World median
- 28.67
- Best in Middle Africa
- 23.08 Equatorial Guinea
- Land neighbours
- Cameroon 67.56 · Republic of the Congo 75.89 · Equatorial Guinea 23.08
02Over time
Which way Gabon is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Employment-to-Population Ratio
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%) · higher is better
GabonWorld median
Gabon rose from 39.54 in 2000 to 40.77 in 2025; the world median went from 55.86 to 57.72.
Every year’s figures
Year Gabon World median 2025 40.768 57.720 2024 41.005 57.694 2023 41.117 58.158 2022 41.097 57.688 2021 38.220 56.066 2020 37.692 55.691 2019 40.945 57.871 2018 40.789 56.911 2017 40.678 56.738 2016 40.551 56.845 2015 40.410 56.788 2014 40.220 56.774 2013 40.052 56.229 2012 39.860 56.289 2011 39.513 56.297 2010 39.071 56.212 2009 39.212 56.255 2008 39.282 57.308 2007 39.550 56.933 2006 39.695 56.685 2005 40.001 56.129 2004 39.868 55.465 2003 39.830 55.630 2002 39.722 55.843 2001 39.512 56.018 2000 39.542 55.861 Labour Income Share
Labour income share of GDP (%) · higher is better
GabonWorld median
Gabon fell from 33.73 in 2004 to 28.87 in 2025; the world median went from 46.01 to 46.23.
Every year’s figures
Year Gabon World median 2025 28.87 46.230 2024 28.49 46.060 2023 28.73 45.900 2022 28.57 45.615 2021 28.06 45.433 2020 29.21 47.267 2019 28.27 46.277 2018 29.08 46.187 2017 29.18 46.467 2016 28.76 46.798 2015 28.30 46.876 2014 28.19 47.281 2013 27.85 46.887 2012 27.96 46.231 2011 27.48 45.679 2010 27.49 46.024 2009 29.36 47.071 2008 30.31 45.312 2007 27.93 45.246 2006 30.29 45.670 2005 28.92 46.265 2004 33.73 46.012 Unemployment Rate
Unemployment (% of labour force) · lower is better
GabonWorld median
Gabon rose from 17.85 in 2000 to 20.15 in 2025; the world median went from 6.918 to 5.084.
Every year’s figures
Year Gabon World median 2025 20.15 5.08 2024 20.09 5.15 2023 20.16 5.21 2022 20.32 5.34 2021 21.22 6.04 2020 21.28 6.38 2019 20.37 5.36 2018 20.46 5.35 2017 20.31 5.59 2016 20.12 5.90 2015 19.94 6.41 2014 19.87 6.58 2013 19.74 6.71 2012 19.66 6.79 2011 19.90 6.90 2010 20.39 7.04 2009 19.76 6.67 2008 19.21 5.79 2007 18.26 6.00 2006 17.81 6.50 2005 16.91 7.09 2004 17.11 6.80 2003 17.13 6.95 2002 17.38 6.91 2001 17.83 6.96 2000 17.85 6.92 Vulnerable Employment
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment) · lower is better
GabonWorld median
Gabon fell from 42.26 in 2000 to 29.81 in 2025; the world median went from 35.67 to 28.67.
Every year’s figures
Year Gabon World median 2025 29.81 28.67 2024 29.87 29.04 2023 29.92 29.33 2022 29.95 29.67 2021 29.97 30.01 2020 30.54 30.54 2019 30.43 29.98 2018 30.51 30.15 2017 30.59 29.93 2016 30.69 29.91 2015 30.83 30.26 2014 30.99 30.47 2013 31.14 31.14 2012 31.29 31.00 2011 31.41 31.41 2010 31.52 32.37 2009 32.59 32.59 2008 33.65 31.76 2007 34.73 33.47 2006 35.88 34.27 2005 36.95 34.66 2004 38.08 35.51 2003 39.16 35.90 2002 40.22 35.96 2001 41.24 35.27 2000 42.26 35.67
03In context
Gabon beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 182 countries on work & labour, never a place within the region.
Gabon and the countries it borders
Standing among all 182; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Employment-to-Population RatioEmployed share of the population aged 15+ (%) | Labour Income ShareLabour income share of GDP (%) | Unemployment RateUnemployment (% of labour force) | Vulnerable EmploymentVulnerable employment (% of total employment) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Cameroon | 97th | 62.82 | 44.37 | 3.602 | 67.56 |
 Equatorial Guinea | 138th | 55.47 | 40.67 | 8.337 | 23.08 |
 Republic of the Congo | 170th | 54.34 | 44.06 | 19.88 | 75.89 |
| Gabon | 177th | 40.77 | 28.87 | 20.15 | 29.81 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Middle Africa
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 182.
Placed either side on work & labour
The countries immediately above and below Gabon in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Gabon is ahead of the world, and behind
26 more statistics filed under work & labour, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median6
Statistics on which Gabon does better than the middle country measured.
Compliance with Labour RightsILO · 2024 · world median 1.610.711.61▼ Worsened since 2015
Gabon: 0.71 · world median 1.61 · Compliance with freedom of association and collective bargaining rights (0 = best, 10 = worst). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 10; lower is better.
GDP per Person EmployedWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 47,38473,04647,384▼ Worsened since 2015
Gabon: 73,046 · world median 47,384 · GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2,456 to 262,554; higher is better.
Position 52nd of 168 · derived.
Labour Productivity per Hour WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 22.1633.0122.16▼ Worsened since 2015
Gabon: 33.01 · world median 22.16 · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.92 to 164.65; higher is better.
Position 64th of 182 · derived.
Working Poverty RateILO · 2025 · world median 4.8852.8624.885▼ Worsened since 2015
Gabon: 2.862 · world median 4.885 · Employed people living in extreme poverty (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.007 to 86.02; lower is better.
Firms Offering Formal TrainingWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 32.0733.832.07No earlier reading
Gabon: 33.8 · world median 32.07 · Firms offering formal training to permanent full-time workers (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.42 to 79.12; higher is better.
Firms with a Female Top ManagerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 19.1619.1819.16No earlier reading
Gabon: 19.18 · world median 19.16 · Firms with a female top manager (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.429 to 62.9; higher is better.
Position 89th of 179 · derived.
Behind the world median9
Statistics on which Gabon does worse than the middle country measured.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added per WorkerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6,7426,5036,742▲ Improved since 2015
Gabon: 6,503 · world median 6,742 · Agricultural value added per worker (constant 2015 US$). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 210.77 to 150,632; higher is better.
Position 78th of 151 · derived.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.94545.9No earlier reading
Gabon: 45 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,23015,34525,230▲ Improved since 2010
Gabon: 15,345 · world median 25,230 · Human capital per person — present value of future earnings (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 700.38 to 735,422; higher is better.
Position 92nd of 151 · derived.
Youth Not in Education, Employment or TrainingILO · 2024 · world median 14.3120.2114.31No earlier reading
Gabon: 20.21 · world median 14.31 · Youth not in education, employment or training (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.975 to 65.73; lower is better.
Position 31st of 97 · derived, 1st = worst.
Female Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 53.3641.6353.36No real change since 2015
Gabon: 41.63 · world median 53.36 · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 4.663 to 82.91; higher is better.
Position 144th of 182 · derived.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8163.2141.81No earlier reading
Gabon: 63.21 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 26th of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 61.6651.0661.66No real change since 2015
Gabon: 51.06 · world median 61.66 · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.34 to 87.01; higher is better.
Position 157th of 182 · derived.
Youth Unemployment RateILO · 2025 · world median 12.8336.2812.83▼ Worsened since 2015
Gabon: 36.28 · world median 12.83 · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.457 to 76.77; lower is better.
Position 13th of 182 · derived, 1st = worst.
Female Share of Senior and Middle ManagementILO · 2024 · world median 35.8619.2535.86No earlier reading
Gabon: 19.25 · world median 35.86 · Women in senior and middle management (% of managers). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 7.226 to 56.69; higher is better.
Position 83rd of 86 · derived.
Level with the median, or no median to compare3
Length of Paid Paternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 333▼ Worsened since 2015
Gabon: 3 · world median 3 · Paid paternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 196; higher is better.
Length of Paid Maternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 989898▼ Worsened since 2015
Gabon: 98 · world median 98 · Paid maternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 410; higher is better.
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 000No earlier reading
Gabon: 0 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
No better end8
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Share of Temporary EmployeesILO · 2024 · world median 13.4539.2613.45No earlier reading
Gabon: 39.26 · world median 13.45 · Employees on temporary contracts (% of employees). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.337 to 72.78.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8942.2938.89Moved since 2015
Gabon: 42.29 · world median 38.89 · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.64 to 54.7.
Position 49th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Public Sector EmploymentWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 15.0122.6315.01No earlier reading
Gabon: 22.63 · world median 15.01 · Public sector employment (% of total employment). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 1.672 to 47.1.
Position 39th of 135 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in AgricultureILO · 2025 · world median 14.3828.8714.38No real change since 2015
Gabon: 28.87 · world median 14.38 · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.095 to 85.34.
Position 61st of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Self-Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 31.8432.3931.84No real change since 2015
Gabon: 32.39 · world median 31.84 · Self-employed (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.832 to 91.56.
Position 90th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in IndustryILO · 2025 · world median 18.8818.8518.88Moved since 2015
Gabon: 18.85 · world median 18.88 · Employment in industry (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 3.103 to 39.44.
Position 92nd of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Statutory Minimum WageILO · 2024 · world median 657.95529.25657.95Moved since 2014
Gabon: 529.25 · world median 657.95 · Statutory minimum wage per month (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.038 to 3,804.
Employment in ServicesILO · 2025 · world median 59.5152.2859.51Moved since 2015
Gabon: 52.28 · world median 59.51 · Employment in services (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.56 to 92.17.
Position 114th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Gabon
Average Monthly Earnings of Employees, Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4), Fatal Occupational Injuries, Gini Index of Monthly Earnings, Informal Employment Rate, Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons, Low Pay Rate and Trade Union Density. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Work & Labour among Gabon’s 16 topics
Work & Labour is Gabon’s 16th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Environment & Sustainability21st of 1862/4 keys
- Peace & Security70th of 1774/4 keys
- Gender & Equality80th of 1834/4 keys
- Energy93rd of 1653/3 keys
- Digital & Technology114th of 1984/4 keys
- Economy & Innovationjoint 110th of 1764/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality102nd of 1593/3 keys
- Risk & Resilience124th of 1934/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties131st of 1984/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing139th of 2003/4 keys
- Development & Human Capitaljoint 140th of 1962/3 keys
- Food & Agriculture139th of 1843/4 keys
- Governance & Institutionsjoint 160th of 1944/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade160th of 1773/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge185th of 1984/4 keys
- Work & Labour177th of 1824/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on work & labour
The three countries placed highest of 182, and the leaders Gabon can most readily be measured against.
1
IcelandNorthern Europe
1st of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Hansueli Krapf · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
South KoreaEastern Asia
3rd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Africa
Nigeria16th4/4 keysHighest in Middle Africa
Cameroon97th4/4 keysThis page
Gabon177th4/4 keys
Positions out of 182 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Gabon and work & labour
On work & labour
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Highest Average Salaries in 2024
The ten highest-paying countries of 2024, their bars coloured by continent, and six more added for comparison — from Australia in 13th place to India in 85th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Lowest Average Salaries in 2024
The bottom ten of 196 countries, and six more added for comparison. Niger, Madagascar and Liberia are all published at US$47 a month and still carry three different ranks.
08Questions
Gabon on work & labour: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Gabon rank on work & labour?
Gabon is placed 177th of 182 countries on Work & Labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Employment-to-Population Ratio, Labour Income Share, Unemployment Rate and Vulnerable Employment). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Employment-to-Population Ratio figure for Gabon?
40.77 in 2025 (employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 57.72.
What is the latest Labour Income Share figure for Gabon?
28.87 in 2025 (labour income share of GDP (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 46.23.
How does Gabon compare with Cameroon on work & labour?
Cameroon is placed 97th of 182, and Gabon 177th. Employment-to-Population Ratio: Cameroon 62.82, Gabon 40.77; Labour Income Share: Cameroon 44.37, Gabon 28.87; Unemployment Rate: Cameroon 3.602, Gabon 20.15; Vulnerable Employment: Cameroon 67.56, Gabon 29.81.
How have Gabon’s work & labour figures changed?
Employment-to-Population Ratio rose from 39.54 in 2000 to 40.77 in 2025; Labour Income Share fell from 33.73 in 2004 to 28.87 in 2025; Unemployment Rate rose from 17.85 in 2000 to 20.15 in 2025; Vulnerable Employment fell from 42.26 in 2000 to 29.81 in 2025.
Which work & labour statistics are missing for Gabon?
No current reading is published for Gabon on Average Monthly Earnings of Employees, Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4), Fatal Occupational Injuries, Gini Index of Monthly Earnings, Informal Employment Rate, Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons, Low Pay Rate and Trade Union Density. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Wages in money terms are not a key here, because pay figures are hard to compare fairly across countries with very different prices. Labour productivity, working hours, youth unemployment and the balance between farming, industry and services are published on this page as context. The size and growth of the wider economy belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Work & Labour standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The work & labour method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Employment-to-Population Ratio — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Labour Income Share — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Unemployment Rate — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Vulnerable Employment — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
The other 26 statistics on this page come from 2 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Gabon’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Gabon (banner) — FX derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY 2.0
- Iceland — Hansueli Krapf, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- South Korea — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Gabon: Work & Labour — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/gabon/work