Angola's Unemployment Rate Drops to 20.9% in Q3 2026

Angola's unemployment rate has decreased to 20.9% in the third quarter of 2026, a 0.6% reduction from the previous quarter and a 6% decrease from the same period in 2025. According to the National Institute of Statistics (INE), this represents 2.767 million people unemployed, a decrease of 0.8% from the previous quarter. The unemployment rate has been steadily decreasing, from 21.5% in Q2 2026 and 26.9% in Q3 2025.

The unemployment rate varies significantly across age groups, with 15-24 year olds experiencing the highest rate at 39.3%, while 45-54 year olds have the lowest rate at 11.3%. The INE's survey also found that the urban area has a higher employment rate of 48.4%, compared to 37.8% in rural areas. Additionally, the employment rate for men is 47.6%, higher than for women at 42.7%. The 35-44 age group has the largest proportion of employed individuals.

The Government of Angola has launched the "Projecto de Emprego e Oportunidades para Jovens" (Employment and Opportunities for Youth Project) in May 2025, with financial support of $250 million from the World Bank. The project aims to benefit 500,000 people, with a focus on creating employment opportunities for young people, particularly women and people with disabilities. The project is expected to create 500,000 jobs over the next four years.

The project, approved by the Council of Ministers, is part of the government's efforts to address the high unemployment rate, particularly among young people. The Minister of Public Administration, Labor and Social Security, Teresa Dias, stated that the project is a multi-sectoral strategy to create jobs, increase productivity, and invest in human capital. The project will support vulnerable young people between 16 and 35 years old.

The project aims to support 100,000 vulnerable young people with economic opportunities, 5,000 entrepreneurs with growth potential, and 400,000 with employment opportunities. The government expects this project to help reduce the high unemployment rate and promote economic development. The project will be implemented between 2025 and 2029.

According to the INE, the employed population with 15 or more years was estimated at 10.452 million people, with 5.337 million men and 5.114 million women. This represents a 2.8% increase from the previous quarter. The employment rate was estimated at 45.1%, up from 44.2% in the previous quarter.

The government remains committed to addressing the unemployment issue, with the MPLA party promising to create 500,000 jobs. The implementation of the Employment and Opportunities for Youth Project is a step towards achieving this goal. The project's success will be crucial in reducing unemployment and promoting economic growth in Angola.

Key points

• Angola's unemployment rate decreased to 20.9% in Q3 2026.
• The government has launched a project to create 500,000 jobs for young people.
• The unemployment rate varies significantly across age groups, with 15-24 year olds experiencing the highest rate.