Photo: Arensond · CC0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 03 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Mali: Work & Labour
Can people find work, and on what terms?
Mali is placed 105th 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 65.14 (2025); Labour Income Share 37.7 (2025).
Share
Work & Labour
105th
of 182 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Mali 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
65.14
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Higher is better
Mali: 65.14. 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 Western Africa
- 79.99 Nigeria
- Land neighbours
- Burkina Faso 67.57 · Côte d’Ivoire 65.53 · Algeria 36.04 · Guinea 49.89 · Mauritania 36.56 · Niger 79.43 · Senegal 50.6
Key 3 of 4
Unemployment Rate
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
2.831
Unemployment (% of labour force)
Lower is better
Mali: 2.831. 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 Western Africa
- 0.394 Niger
- Land neighbours
- Burkina Faso 3.477 · Côte d’Ivoire 2.323 · Algeria 11.63 · Guinea 5.163 · Mauritania 10.32 · Niger 0.394 · Senegal 2.735
Key 4 of 4
Vulnerable Employment
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
75.76
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Lower is better
Mali: 75.76. 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 Western Africa
- 34.26 Cabo Verde
- Land neighbours
- Burkina Faso 80.56 · Côte d’Ivoire 69.43 · Algeria 25.56 · Guinea 79.17 · Mauritania 53.35 · Niger 83.73 · Senegal 62.98
02Over time
Which way Mali 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
MaliWorld median
Mali fell from 69.29 in 2000 to 65.14 in 2025; the world median went from 55.86 to 57.72.
Every year’s figures
Year Mali World median 2025 65.138 57.720 2024 65.209 57.694 2023 65.227 58.158 2022 65.631 57.688 2021 64.091 56.066 2020 63.591 55.691 2019 65.177 57.871 2018 67.178 56.911 2017 68.123 56.738 2016 68.909 56.845 2015 69.570 56.788 2014 69.574 56.774 2013 69.526 56.229 2012 69.506 56.289 2011 69.476 56.297 2010 69.445 56.212 2009 69.377 56.255 2008 69.354 57.308 2007 69.330 56.933 2006 69.286 56.685 2005 69.281 56.129 2004 69.232 55.465 2003 69.330 55.630 2002 69.278 55.843 2001 69.319 56.018 2000 69.289 55.861 Labour Income Share
Labour income share of GDP (%) · higher is better
MaliWorld median
Mali rose from 30.45 in 2004 to 37.7 in 2025; the world median went from 46.01 to 46.23.
Every year’s figures
Year Mali World median 2025 37.71 46.230 2024 37.88 46.060 2023 37.80 45.900 2022 38.51 45.615 2021 37.82 45.433 2020 37.28 47.267 2019 38.55 46.277 2018 37.95 46.187 2017 36.86 46.467 2016 40.44 46.798 2015 41.52 46.876 2014 42.02 47.281 2013 37.04 46.887 2012 38.13 46.231 2011 34.87 45.679 2010 33.74 46.024 2009 36.41 47.071 2008 39.52 45.312 2007 40.31 45.246 2006 32.37 45.670 2005 31.97 46.265 2004 30.45 46.012 Unemployment Rate
Unemployment (% of labour force) · lower is better
MaliWorld median
Mali rose from 1.412 in 2000 to 2.831 in 2025; the world median went from 6.918 to 5.084.
Every year’s figures
Year Mali World median 2025 2.831 5.08 2024 2.924 5.15 2023 2.947 5.21 2022 2.387 5.34 2021 4.006 6.04 2020 3.528 6.38 2019 3.290 5.36 2018 1.620 5.35 2017 1.498 5.59 2016 1.367 5.90 2015 1.404 6.41 2014 1.476 6.58 2013 1.517 6.71 2012 1.462 6.79 2011 1.403 6.90 2010 1.375 7.04 2009 1.406 6.67 2008 1.383 5.79 2007 1.372 6.00 2006 1.395 6.50 2005 1.367 7.09 2004 1.413 6.80 2003 1.272 6.95 2002 1.360 6.91 2001 1.332 6.96 2000 1.412 6.92 Vulnerable Employment
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment) · lower is better
MaliWorld median
Mali fell from 84.32 in 2000 to 75.76 in 2025; the world median went from 35.67 to 28.67.
Every year’s figures
Year Mali World median 2025 75.76 28.67 2024 76.29 29.04 2023 76.45 29.33 2022 76.59 29.67 2021 80.60 30.01 2020 84.99 30.54 2019 82.25 29.98 2018 80.44 30.15 2017 79.66 29.93 2016 80.24 29.91 2015 81.67 30.26 2014 81.64 30.47 2013 81.69 31.14 2012 81.78 31.00 2011 81.91 31.41 2010 82.03 32.37 2009 82.20 32.59 2008 82.40 31.76 2007 82.55 33.47 2006 82.70 34.27 2005 82.95 34.66 2004 83.19 35.51 2003 83.41 35.90 2002 83.72 35.96 2001 83.98 35.27 2000 84.32 35.67
03In context
Mali 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.
Mali 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Burkina Faso | =95th | 67.57 | 43.47 | 3.477 | 80.56 |
 Niger | =95th | 79.43 | 27.76 | 0.394 | 83.73 |
| Mali | 105th | 65.14 | 37.7 | 2.831 | 75.76 |
 Côte d’Ivoire | 106th | 65.53 | 30.95 | 2.323 | 69.43 |
 Senegal | 129th | 50.6 | 42.49 | 2.735 | 62.98 |
 Guinea | 169th | 49.89 | 36.18 | 5.163 | 79.17 |
 Algeria | 176th | 36.04 | 30.51 | 11.63 | 25.56 |
 Mauritania | 178th | 36.56 | 35.65 | 10.32 | 53.35 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Western 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 Mali in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Mali is ahead of the world, and behind
30 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 median4
Statistics on which Mali does better than the middle country measured.
Youth Unemployment RateILO · 2025 · world median 12.833.87712.83▼ Worsened since 2015
Mali: 3.877 · 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 165th of 182 · derived, 1st = worst.
Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 61.6667.0461.66▼ Worsened since 2015
Mali: 67.04 · 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 44th of 182 · derived.
Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4)ILO · 2024 · world median 12.568.46212.56▼ Worsened since 2020
Mali: 8.462 · world median 12.56 · Composite rate of labour underutilisation, LU4 (% of the extended labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.495 to 49.82; lower is better.
Position 56th of 76 · derived, 1st = worst.
Compliance with Labour RightsILO · 2024 · world median 1.610.881.61▲ Improved since 2015
Mali: 0.88 · 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.
Behind the world median15
Statistics on which Mali does worse than the middle country measured.
Female Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 53.3652.8453.36▼ Worsened since 2015
Mali: 52.84 · 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 95th of 182 · derived.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8156.7841.81No earlier reading
Mali: 56.78 · 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 40th of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Working Poverty RateILO · 2025 · world median 4.88534.354.885▲ Improved since 2015
Mali: 34.35 · 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.
Trade Union DensityILO · 2020 · world median 16.687.52316.68No earlier reading
Mali: 7.523 · world median 16.68 · Employees who are trade union members (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.2 to 91.42; higher is better.
Position 115th of 139 · derived.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added per WorkerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6,7421,2776,742No real change since 2015
Mali: 1,277 · world median 6,742 · Agricultural value added per worker (constant 2015 US$). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 210.77 to 150,632; higher is better.
Position 131st of 151 · derived.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,2306,12125,230▼ Worsened since 2010
Mali: 6,121 · world median 25,230 · Human capital per person — present value of future earnings (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 700.38 to 735,422; higher is better.
Position 131st of 151 · derived.
Firms with a Female Top ManagerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 19.167.85219.16No earlier reading
Mali: 7.852 · 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 158th of 179 · derived.
Low Pay RateILO · 2024 · world median 17.8933.7617.89▲ Improved since 2014
Mali: 33.76 · world median 17.89 · Employees paid less than two-thirds of the median hourly earnings (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.395 to 41.69; lower is better.
Position 9th of 71 · derived, 1st = worst.
Firms Offering Formal TrainingWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 32.0711.6432.07No earlier reading
Mali: 11.64 · 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.
Gini Index of Monthly EarningsILO · 2024 · world median 0.3370.50.337▼ Worsened since 2014
Mali: 0.5 · world median 0.337 · Gini index of employees’ monthly earnings (0 = all paid the same, 1 = maximum inequality). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.182 to 0.643; lower is better.
Position 9th of 75 · derived, 1st = worst.
GDP per Person EmployedWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 47,3848,47747,384No real change since 2015
Mali: 8,477 · 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 152nd of 168 · derived.
Average Monthly Earnings of EmployeesILO · 2024 · world median 1,636554.731,636▲ Improved since 2014
Mali: 554.73 · world median 1,636 · Average monthly earnings of employees (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 193.28 to 9,307; higher is better.
Position 68th of 75 · derived.
Youth Not in Education, Employment or TrainingILO · 2024 · world median 14.3130.1214.31▼ Worsened since 2014
Mali: 30.12 · 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 10th of 97 · derived, 1st = worst.
Labour Productivity per Hour WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 22.163.6822.16No real change since 2015
Mali: 3.68 · 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 166th of 182 · derived.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.94.645.9No earlier reading
Mali: 4.6 · 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.
Level with the median, or no median to compare3
Length of Paid Paternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 333▼ Worsened since 2015
Mali: 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
Mali: 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
Mali: 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.
Employment in AgricultureILO · 2025 · world median 14.3863.0114.38Moved since 2015
Mali: 63.01 · 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 11th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Share of Temporary EmployeesILO · 2024 · world median 13.4553.2913.45No real change since 2014
Mali: 53.29 · 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.
Self-Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 31.8476.3531.84Moved since 2015
Mali: 76.35 · 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 24th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8943.7438.89Moved since 2015
Mali: 43.74 · 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 33rd of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Public Sector EmploymentWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 15.014.72515.01No earlier reading
Mali: 4.725 · 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 113th of 135 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Statutory Minimum WageILO · 2024 · world median 657.95207.94657.95No real change since 2014
Mali: 207.94 · 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 IndustryILO · 2025 · world median 18.888.5918.88No real change since 2015
Mali: 8.59 · 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 166th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in ServicesILO · 2025 · world median 59.5128.459.51Moved since 2015
Mali: 28.4 · 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 171st of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Mali
Fatal Occupational Injuries, Female Share of Senior and Middle Management (last 2022), Informal Employment Rate and Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons. 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 Mali’s 15 topics
Work & Labour is Mali’s 2nd best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Environment & Sustainability94th of 1864/4 keys
- Work & Labour105th of 1824/4 keys
- Energy103rd of 1652/3 keys
- Governance & Institutions133rd of 1944/4 keys
- Digital & Technologyjoint 143rd of 1984/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing151st of 2004/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience148th of 1934/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality122nd of 1593/3 keys
- Gender & Equality153rd of 1834/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties168th of 1984/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture161st of 1843/4 keys
- Education & Knowledgejoint 174th of 1984/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation158th of 1764/4 keys
- Peace & Securityjoint 160th of 1774/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital185th of 1963/3 keys
No standing on Mobility & Trade: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on work & labour
The three countries placed highest of 182, and the leaders Mali 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 keysThis page
Mali105th4/4 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 Mali 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
Mali 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 Mali rank on work & labour?
Mali is placed 105th 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 Mali?
65.14 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 Mali?
37.7 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 Mali compare with Algeria on work & labour?
Algeria is placed 176th of 182, and Mali 105th. Employment-to-Population Ratio: Algeria 36.04, Mali 65.14; Labour Income Share: Algeria 30.51, Mali 37.7; Unemployment Rate: Algeria 11.63, Mali 2.831; Vulnerable Employment: Algeria 25.56, Mali 75.76.
How have Mali’s work & labour figures changed?
Employment-to-Population Ratio fell from 69.29 in 2000 to 65.14 in 2025; Labour Income Share rose from 30.45 in 2004 to 37.7 in 2025; Unemployment Rate rose from 1.412 in 2000 to 2.831 in 2025; Vulnerable Employment fell from 84.32 in 2000 to 75.76 in 2025.
Which work & labour statistics are missing for Mali?
No current reading is published for Mali on Fatal Occupational Injuries, Female Share of Senior and Middle Management, Informal Employment Rate and Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons. 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 30 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
Mali’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Mali (banner) — Arensond, CC0
- 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). Mali: Work & Labour — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/mali/work