Unemployment Rate: West Bank and Gaza
West Bank and Gaza's unemployment rate is currently 24.4% as of 2022. # West Bank and Gaza Unemployment Rate West Bank and Gaza's unemployment rate stood at 24.
Current (2022)
24.4%
-7.6% y/y
Peak (2002)
31.2%
Low (1999)
11.8%
Source
IMF World Economic Outlook
1993–2022 · 30 pts
Unemployment Rate — West Bank and Gaza
1993 — 2022
Unemployment Rate — West Bank and Gaza
Analysis# West Bank and Gaza Unemployment Rate
West Bank and Gaza's unemployment rate stood at 24.4% in 2022, reflecting persistently elevated joblessness despite modest improvement from the previous year. The region's labor market remains constrained compared to its best performance of 11.8% in 1999, yet has recovered substantially from the devastating peak of 31.2% reached in 2002. Over the three-decade period from 1993 to 2022, unemployment increased by 31.2 percentage points, indicating a secular deterioration in employment conditions.
Recent years show relative stability with fluctuation between 23.4% and 26.9% from 2013 to 2021. The decline to 24.4% in 2022 marks the lowest rate since 2013, suggesting gradual labor market recovery. Whether this downward trend continues remains uncertain, but the current rate significantly exceeds levels required for robust economic development, indicating structural challenges in job creation remain unresolved.
Historical Data
30 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 24.4% | -7.58% |
| 2021 | 26.4% | +1.93% |
| 2020 | 25.9% | +1.97% |
| 2019 | 25.4% | -3.42% |
| 2018 | 26.3% | +3.14% |
| 2017 | 25.5% | -5.20% |
| 2016 | 26.9% | +3.86% |
| 2015 | 25.9% | -3.72% |
| 2014 | 26.9% | +14.96% |
| 2013 | 23.4% | +1.74% |
| 2012 | 23.0% | +10.05% |
| 2011 | 20.9% | -11.81% |
| 2010 | 23.7% | -3.27% |
| 2009 | 24.5% | -7.89% |
| 2008 | 26.6% | +22.58% |
| 2007 | 21.7% | -8.44% |
| 2006 | 23.7% | +0.85% |
| 2005 | 23.5% | -12.31% |
| 2004 | 26.8% | +5.10% |
| 2003 | 25.5% | -18.27% |
Show all 30 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 31.2% | +23.32% |
| 2001 | 25.3% | +76.92% |
| 2000 | 14.3% | +21.19% |
| 1999 | 11.8% | -16.90% |
| 1998 | 14.2% | -29.35% |
| 1997 | 20.1% | -14.47% |
| 1996 | 23.5% | +25.67% |
| 1995 | 18.7% | +0.54% |
| 1994 | 18.6% | +0.00% |
| 1993 | 18.6% | — |
Related Data
Other Metrics
For West Bank and Gaza
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Demographics
People & population data
No demographic data available.