Unemployment rate declined by 3.4 percent in the last 3 years
UR=Unemployment rate, EPR=Employment to population Ratio, LFPR=Labour Force Participation Rate
The Rwanda Labour Force Survey (LFS) started in 2016 with an annual sample spread into two rounds to provide bi-annual estimates of main labour market indicators at National level. From February 2019, the sample was spread into four rounds to provide estimates of labour market indicators at national level on quarterly basis. The main objective of the survey is to provide data on the structure and trends of labour force, employment and unemployment as well as other related labour market statistics for the implementation and evaluation of economic and social policies related to employment creation, income generation, skills development, and related decent work policies.
Over the years, unemployment rate in Rwanda is slightly declining while the employment to population and Labour force participation Rate is increasing. Unemployment has decreased by 0.6 percentage points from 16.0 in August 2019 to 15.4 percent in November 2019. Again it has decline by 1.8 percentage points between August 2017 and August 2019. Quarter to Quarter comparison shows an increasing trend of the employment to population ratio which is the proportion of Labour force (Either employed or unemployed) to the working age population from 43.9 percent in August 2019_Q3 to 46.5 percent in November 2019_Q4. Labour force participation rate follow the same patterns as Employment to population which may be due to the change in age structure or other socio economic effects.
By MUKUNDABANTU Jean Marc
Labour statistician Research Team Leader