Photo: File: Jacques Taberlet derivative work: Lkcl it · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 03 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Niger: Work & Labour
Can people find work, and on what terms?
Niger is placed joint 95th 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 79.43 (2025); Labour Income Share 27.76 (2025).
Share
Work & Labour
joint95th
of 182 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Niger 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
79.43
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Higher is better
Niger: 79.43. 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
- Benin 75.14 · Burkina Faso 67.57 · Algeria 36.04 · Libya 38.97 · Mali 65.14 · Nigeria 79.99 · Chad 58.81
Key 3 of 4
Unemployment Rate
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
0.394
Unemployment (% of labour force)
Lower is better
Niger: 0.394. 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
- Benin 1.589 · Burkina Faso 3.477 · Algeria 11.63 · Libya 18.76 · Mali 2.831 · Nigeria 3.064 · Chad 1.057
Key 4 of 4
Vulnerable Employment
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
83.73
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Lower is better
Niger: 83.73. 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
- Benin 78.53 · Burkina Faso 80.56 · Algeria 25.56 · Libya 21.59 · Mali 75.76 · Nigeria 66.48 · Chad 90.22
02Over time
Which way Niger 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
NigerWorld median
Niger rose from 77.89 in 2000 to 79.43 in 2025; the world median went from 55.86 to 57.72.
Every year’s figures
Year Niger World median 2025 79.43 57.720 2024 79.26 57.694 2023 79.24 58.158 2022 79.29 57.688 2021 75.90 56.066 2020 73.71 55.691 2019 72.05 57.871 2018 72.28 56.911 2017 72.49 56.738 2016 72.72 56.845 2015 72.94 56.788 2014 73.18 56.774 2013 74.61 56.229 2012 75.96 56.289 2011 79.27 56.297 2010 78.93 56.212 2009 78.51 56.255 2008 78.18 57.308 2007 77.79 56.933 2006 77.34 56.685 2005 76.83 56.129 2004 77.05 55.465 2003 77.48 55.630 2002 77.69 55.843 2001 77.90 56.018 2000 77.89 55.861 Labour Income Share
Labour income share of GDP (%) · higher is better
NigerWorld median
Niger fell from 28.23 in 2004 to 27.76 in 2025; the world median went from 46.01 to 46.23.
Every year’s figures
Year Niger World median 2025 27.76 46.230 2024 26.80 46.060 2023 28.18 45.900 2022 26.43 45.615 2021 26.51 45.433 2020 26.82 47.267 2019 27.30 46.277 2018 27.69 46.187 2017 27.51 46.467 2016 28.45 46.798 2015 29.28 46.876 2014 29.00 47.281 2013 27.83 46.887 2012 25.72 46.231 2011 26.64 45.679 2010 25.38 46.024 2009 28.39 47.071 2008 26.86 45.312 2007 29.09 45.246 2006 29.83 45.670 2005 28.63 46.265 2004 28.23 46.012 Unemployment Rate
Unemployment (% of labour force) · lower is better
NigerWorld median
Niger fell from 1.427 in 2000 to 0.394 in 2025; the world median went from 6.918 to 5.084.
Every year’s figures
Year Niger World median 2025 0.39 5.08 2024 0.38 5.15 2023 0.41 5.21 2022 0.40 5.34 2021 0.81 6.04 2020 0.59 6.38 2019 0.53 5.36 2018 0.54 5.35 2017 0.56 5.59 2016 0.55 5.90 2015 0.56 6.41 2014 0.52 6.58 2013 1.40 6.71 2012 2.18 6.79 2011 0.32 6.90 2010 0.72 7.04 2009 1.21 6.67 2008 1.58 5.79 2007 2.02 6.00 2006 2.53 6.50 2005 3.10 7.09 2004 2.75 6.80 2003 2.15 6.95 2002 1.81 6.91 2001 1.47 6.96 2000 1.43 6.92 Vulnerable Employment
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment) · lower is better
NigerWorld median
Niger fell from 84.57 in 2000 to 83.73 in 2025; the world median went from 35.67 to 28.67.
Every year’s figures
Year Niger World median 2025 83.730 28.67 2024 83.988 29.04 2023 84.203 29.33 2022 84.364 29.67 2021 84.743 30.01 2020 85.435 30.54 2019 85.195 29.98 2018 87.274 30.15 2017 89.437 29.93 2016 89.556 29.91 2015 89.674 30.26 2014 89.801 30.47 2013 88.204 31.14 2012 86.594 31.00 2011 85.045 31.41 2010 84.922 32.37 2009 84.764 32.59 2008 84.579 31.76 2007 84.534 33.47 2006 84.540 34.27 2005 84.553 34.66 2004 84.539 35.51 2003 84.503 35.90 2002 84.522 35.96 2001 84.545 35.27 2000 84.568 35.67
03In context
Niger 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.
Niger 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Nigeria | 16th | 79.99 | 75.13 | 3.064 | 66.48 |
 Benin | 70th | 75.14 | 39.95 | 1.589 | 78.53 |
 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 |
 Chad | =117th | 58.81 | 39.11 | 1.057 | 90.22 |
 Libya | =158th | 38.97 | 44.28 | 18.76 | 21.59 |
 Algeria | 176th | 36.04 | 30.51 | 11.63 | 25.56 |
“—”: 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 Niger in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Niger is ahead of the world, and behind
24 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 Niger does better than the middle country measured.
Youth Unemployment RateILO · 2025 · world median 12.830.45712.83No real change since 2015
Niger: 0.457 · 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 182nd of 182 · derived, 1st = worst.
Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 61.6679.7461.66▲ Improved since 2015
Niger: 79.74 · 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 9th of 182 · derived.
Female Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 53.3672.7853.36▲ Improved since 2015
Niger: 72.78 · 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 13th of 182 · derived.
Trade Union DensityILO · 2020 · world median 16.682716.68No earlier reading
Niger: 27 · 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 32nd of 139 · derived.
Behind the world median11
Statistics on which Niger does worse than the middle country measured.
Compliance with Labour RightsILO · 2024 · world median 1.611.651.61▼ Worsened since 2015
Niger: 1.65 · 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.
Length of Paid Paternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 313▼ Worsened since 2015
Niger: 1 · 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.
Firms Offering Formal TrainingWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 32.0725.6232.07No earlier reading
Niger: 25.62 · 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 19.1614.6419.16No earlier reading
Niger: 14.64 · 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 120th of 179 · derived.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.96.945.9No earlier reading
Niger: 6.9 · 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.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8164.7841.81No earlier reading
Niger: 64.78 · 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 23rd of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Working Poverty RateILO · 2025 · world median 4.88549.834.885No real change since 2015
Niger: 49.83 · 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.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added per WorkerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6,742756.136,742No real change since 2015
Niger: 756.13 · 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 142nd of 151 · derived.
GDP per Person EmployedWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 47,3844,35647,384No real change since 2015
Niger: 4,356 · 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 163rd of 168 · derived.
Labour Productivity per Hour WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 22.162.1122.16No real change since 2015
Niger: 2.11 · 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 177th of 182 · derived.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,2302,30125,230No real change since 2010
Niger: 2,301 · 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 149th of 151 · derived.
Level with the median, or no median to compare2
Length of Paid Maternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 989898▼ Worsened since 2015
Niger: 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
Niger: 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 end7
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Self-Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 31.8489.4831.84No real change since 2015
Niger: 89.48 · 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 2nd of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in AgricultureILO · 2025 · world median 14.3872.9914.38No real change since 2015
Niger: 72.99 · 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 3rd of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8939.9838.89No real change since 2015
Niger: 39.98 · 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 83rd of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Statutory Minimum WageILO · 2024 · world median 657.95195.78657.95No real change since 2014
Niger: 195.78 · 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 18.889.2718.88Moved since 2015
Niger: 9.27 · 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 164th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Public Sector EmploymentWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 15.011.97515.01No earlier reading
Niger: 1.975 · 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 134th of 135 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in ServicesILO · 2025 · world median 59.5117.7459.51No real change since 2015
Niger: 17.74 · 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 181st of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Niger
Average Monthly Earnings of Employees (last 2022), Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4), Fatal Occupational Injuries, Female Share of Senior and Middle Management (last 2017), Gini Index of Monthly Earnings (last 2022), Informal Employment Rate, Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons, Low Pay Rate, Share of Temporary Employees (last 2017) and Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training (last 2022). 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 Niger’s 15 topics
Work & Labour is Niger’s 2nd best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Environment & Sustainability83rd of 1864/4 keys
- Work & Labourjoint 95th of 1824/4 keys
- Digital & Technology132nd of 1984/4 keys
- Governance & Institutionsjoint 131st of 1944/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties140th of 1984/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequalityjoint 125th of 1593/3 keys
- Risk & Resiliencejoint 155th of 1934/4 keys
- Gender & Equalityjoint 155th of 1834/4 keys
- Peace & Security153rd of 1774/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital175th of 1963/3 keys
- Education & Knowledge182nd of 1984/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing184th of 2004/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture173rd of 1844/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation166th of 1764/4 keys
- Energy159th of 1653/3 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 Niger 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
Niger=95th4/4 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 Niger 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
Niger 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 Niger rank on work & labour?
Niger is placed joint 95th 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 Niger?
79.43 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 Niger?
27.76 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 Niger compare with Nigeria on work & labour?
Nigeria is placed 16th of 182, and Niger joint 95th. Employment-to-Population Ratio: Nigeria 79.99, Niger 79.43; Labour Income Share: Nigeria 75.13, Niger 27.76; Unemployment Rate: Nigeria 3.064, Niger 0.394; Vulnerable Employment: Nigeria 66.48, Niger 83.73.
How have Niger’s work & labour figures changed?
Employment-to-Population Ratio rose from 77.89 in 2000 to 79.43 in 2025; Labour Income Share fell from 28.23 in 2004 to 27.76 in 2025; Unemployment Rate fell from 1.427 in 2000 to 0.394 in 2025; Vulnerable Employment fell from 84.57 in 2000 to 83.73 in 2025.
Which work & labour statistics are missing for Niger?
No current reading is published for Niger on Average Monthly Earnings of Employees, Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4), Fatal Occupational Injuries, Female Share of Senior and Middle Management, Gini Index of Monthly Earnings, Informal Employment Rate, Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons, Low Pay Rate, Share of Temporary Employees and Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training. 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 24 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
Niger’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Niger (banner) — File: Jacques Taberlet derivative work: Lkcl it, CC BY-SA 3.0
- 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). Niger: Work & Labour — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/niger/work