- Working-age population
The working-age population consists of all individuals aged 16 and older. It has been steadily increasing, with a slight overrepresentation of men (50.8% men compared to 48.2% women, according to the results of the National Employment Survey 2019).
Source: Ministry of Employment and Social Protection (MEPS)
- Labor force structure and employment
The labor force is composed of the employed population and the unemployed population. It is largely dominated by the employed population, which represents an average of 97% of the total labor force. The employed population is defined as all individuals of working age who, during a short reference period, were engaged in any activity aimed at producing goods or providing services in exchange for remuneration or profit.
It is noted that the employed population is more male than female (58.8% men compared to 41.2% women, according to the results of the ENE 2019).
Source: MEPS
Underutilization of the labor force
- The unemployment rate fluctuates around 3% during the period 2016-2019. The low unemployment rate conceals certain realities of the labor market, including:
- The prevalence of informal jobs characterized by low levels of remuneration and profitability, difficult working conditions, and precarious employment;
- The high number of working-age individuals who do not participate in the labor market (potential labor force);
- Underemployment related to working hours.
Thus, the combined rates, taking into account these dimensions, are at relatively higher levels. These include the combined rate of unemployment and underemployment related to working hours (SU2); the combined rate of unemployment and the potential labor force (SU3); and the combined rate of unemployment, underemployment related to working hours, and the potential labor force (SU4), which stood at 12.3%, 12.9%, and 21.3% respectively in 2019.
The analysis of all these indicators of labor force underutilization by gender reveals discriminatory situations against women. Indeed, in 2019, the unemployment rate for women (3.7%) was higher than for men, where it stood at 2.4%. Similarly, the combined rate of unemployment, underemployment related to working hours, and the potential labor force is higher for women than for men (28.2% for women compared to 15.9% for men).
Evolution of underemployment indicators of the labor force from 2016 to 2019
|
Indicators |
ENSESI 2016 |
ERI-ESI 2017 |
ENE 2019 |
||||||
|
Male |
Female |
Total |
Male |
Female |
Total |
Male |
Female |
Total |
|
|
Unemployment rate (SU1) |
2.3% |
3.5% |
2.8% |
2.9% |
3.9% |
3.3% |
2.4% |
3.7% |
2.9% |
|
Combined rate of unemployment and underemployment related to working hours (SU2) |
12.8% |
18.1% |
14.9% |
11.8 |
12.2 |
12.0 |
9.8% |
15.8% |
12.3% |
|
Combined rate of unemployment and the potential labor force (SU3) |
10.2% |
22.5% |
15.6% |
7.8 |
18.1 |
12.2 |
9.1% |
17.8% |
12.9% |
|
Combined rate of unemployment, underemployment related to working hours, and the potential labor force (SU4) |
19.8% |
34.2% |
26.1% |
16.3 |
25.2 |
20.1 |
15.9% |
28.2% |
21.3% |
Source: MEPS
Characteristics of employment
The labor market in Côte d'Ivoire is characterized by:
- A very high level of informality in jobs, affecting nearly 9 out of 10 jobs;
- A high level of vulnerability in jobs, with higher proportions among women (an average of 80%) than among men (an average of 60%).
Source: MEPS
- Situation of youth in the labor market
In general, it is noted that nearly 3 out of 10 young people are neither employed, nor in education, nor in training. This reality is more pronounced among women than among men.
To reverse this concerning situation, the government has initiated the reform of Technical Education and Vocational Training 2016-2025 and the implementation of the National Strategy for Professional Integration and Youth Employment (SNIEJ 2021-2025).
Source: MEPS