Informal economy work around the world
Urbanisation, poverty and youth unemployment across 217 countries.
Informal work is what people fall into when the formal sector does not reach them. The indicators available here describe where that tends to happen: how urban a country is, how concentrated its poverty is, and how hard it is for a young person to find work at all.
Urban population
A higher value means a larger share of people live in cities. 217 countries report this indicator.
Among the 217 countries reporting urban population, the figure runs from 14.7% (Liechtenstein, 2024) to 100.0% (Bahrain, 2024), with a median of 63.9%. The middle half of the countries fall between 29.9% and 94.2%.
- Lowest reported
- 14.7%
- Liechtenstein · 2024
- Median
- 63.9%
- across 217 countries
- Highest reported
- 100.0%
- Bahrain · 2024
- Middle half
- 29.9% – 94.2%
- 10th–90th percentile
Poverty rate
A higher value means a larger share of people live below the national poverty line. 134 countries report this indicator.
Among the 134 countries reporting poverty rate, the figure runs from 0.0% (Belarus, 2020) to 85.3% (Congo, Dem. Rep., 2020), with a median of 1.5%. The middle half of the countries fall between 0.1% and 41.8%.
- Lowest reported
- 0.0%
- Belarus · 2020
- Median
- 1.5%
- across 134 countries
- Highest reported
- 85.3%
- Congo, Dem. Rep. · 2020
- Middle half
- 0.1% – 41.8%
- 10th–90th percentile
Youth unemployment
A higher value means a larger share of young workers are without a job and looking for one. 187 countries report this indicator.
Among the 187 countries reporting youth unemployment, the figure runs from 0.1% (Qatar, 2024) to 34.6% (Eswatini, 2024), with a median of 5.2%. The middle half of the countries fall between 2.2% and 13.7%.
- Lowest reported
- 0.1%
- Qatar · 2024
- Median
- 5.2%
- across 187 countries
- Highest reported
- 34.6%
- Eswatini · 2024
- Middle half
- 2.2% – 13.7%
- 10th–90th percentile
Where is the pressure on young workers highest?
Each row is one country, with the year its figure was observed. The regions are the World Bank's own groupings.
East Asia & Pacific (37)
| Country | Urban population | Poverty rate | Youth unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Samoa | 80.9% (2024) | ||
| Australia | 87.6% (2024) | 0.9% (2020) | 3.9% (2024) |
| Brunei Darussalam | 74.9% (2024) | 5.2% (2024) | |
| Cambodia | 40.9% (2024) | 0.3% (2024) | |
| China | 65.9% (2024) | 0.0% (2022) | 4.6% (2024) |
| Fiji | 59.1% (2024) | 4.7% (2019) | 5.4% (2024) |
| French Polynesia | 61.7% (2024) | 11.6% (2024) | |
| Guam | 94.2% (2024) | 5.3% (2024) | |
| Hong Kong SAR, China | 100.0% (2024) | 3.0% (2024) | |
| Indonesia | 58.8% (2024) | 5.4% (2024) | 3.3% (2024) |
| Japan | 92.2% (2024) | 1.2% (2020) | 2.5% (2024) |
| Kiribati | 62.5% (2024) | 0.9% (2023) | |
| Korea, Dem. People's Rep. | 63.9% (2024) | 3.5% (2024) | |
| Korea, Rep. | 81.2% (2024) | 0.1% (2021) | 2.8% (2024) |
| Lao PDR | 39.6% (2024) | 7.1% (2024) | 1.2% (2024) |
| Macao SAR, China | 100.0% (2024) | 2.3% (2024) | |
| Malaysia | 76.9% (2024) | 0.0% (2021) | 3.8% (2024) |
| Marshall Islands | 78.7% (2024) | 2.1% (2019) | |
| Micronesia, Fed. Sts. | 22.5% (2024) | ||
| Mongolia | 71.0% (2024) | 0.4% (2022) | 5.2% (2024) |
| Myanmar | 30.4% (2024) | 2.9% (2024) | |
| Naoero | 100.0% (2024) | ||
| New Caledonia | 68.0% (2024) | 11.0% (2024) | |
| New Zealand | 83.9% (2024) | 4.7% (2024) | |
| Northern Mariana Islands | 92.1% (2024) | ||
| Palau | 79.2% (2024) | ||
| Papua New Guinea | 15.4% (2024) | 2.6% (2024) | |
| Philippines | 55.5% (2024) | 5.3% (2023) | 2.2% (2024) |
| Samoa | 17.5% (2024) | 4.9% (2024) | |
| Singapore | 100.0% (2024) | 2.7% (2024) | |
| Solomon Islands | 30.7% (2024) | 1.4% (2024) | |
| Thailand | 61.9% (2024) | 0.0% (2024) | 0.8% (2024) |
| Timor-Leste | 28.7% (2024) | 1.5% (2024) | |
| Tonga | 21.2% (2024) | 0.4% (2021) | 2.0% (2024) |
| Tuvalu | 64.7% (2024) | ||
| Vanuatu | 22.3% (2024) | 19.5% (2019) | 5.0% (2024) |
| Viet Nam | 38.5% (2024) | 1.6% (2022) | 1.6% (2024) |
Europe & Central Asia (58)
| Country | Urban population | Poverty rate | Youth unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albania | 58.5% (2024) | 0.3% (2020) | 10.7% (2024) |
| Andorra | 88.9% (2024) | ||
| Armenia | 65.8% (2024) | 0.8% (2024) | 12.4% (2024) |
| Austria | 69.5% (2024) | 0.5% (2023) | 5.2% (2024) |
| Azerbaijan | 58.6% (2024) | 5.6% (2024) | |
| Belarus | 79.2% (2024) | 0.0% (2020) | 3.5% (2024) |
| Belgium | 87.6% (2024) | 0.1% (2023) | 5.7% (2024) |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 52.1% (2024) | 0.3% (2021) | 10.7% (2024) |
| Bulgaria | 73.9% (2024) | 1.0% (2023) | 4.2% (2024) |
| Channel Islands | 32.7% (2024) | 6.0% (2024) | |
| Croatia | 57.5% (2024) | 0.3% (2023) | 5.0% (2024) |
| Cyprus | 66.7% (2024) | 0.0% (2023) | 4.9% (2024) |
| Czechia | 72.8% (2024) | 0.0% (2023) | 2.6% (2024) |
| Denmark | 88.7% (2024) | 0.4% (2023) | 5.4% (2024) |
| Estonia | 70.7% (2024) | 0.3% (2023) | 7.6% (2024) |
| Faroe Islands | 39.4% (2024) | ||
| Finland | 74.3% (2024) | 0.2% (2023) | 8.4% (2024) |
| France | 78.8% (2024) | 0.1% (2023) | 7.4% (2024) |
| Georgia | 61.1% (2024) | 4.2% (2024) | 11.6% (2024) |
| Germany | 82.0% (2024) | 0.7% (2022) | 3.4% (2024) |
| Gibraltar | 100.0% (2024) | ||
| Greece | 79.0% (2024) | 0.6% (2023) | 10.0% (2024) |
| Greenland | 88.3% (2024) | ||
| Hungary | 70.5% (2024) | 4.5% (2024) | |
| Iceland | 94.2% (2024) | 0.1% (2019) | 3.6% (2024) |
| Ireland | 64.3% (2024) | 0.1% (2023) | 4.3% (2024) |
| Isle of Man | 52.2% (2024) | ||
| Italy | 69.6% (2024) | 0.9% (2023) | 6.5% (2024) |
| Kazakhstan | 62.1% (2024) | 0.0% (2021) | 4.8% (2024) |
| Kosovo | 50.3% (2024) | 10.0% (2022) | |
| Kyrgyz Republic | 34.7% (2024) | 2.2% (2024) | 3.5% (2024) |
| Latvia | 68.5% (2024) | 0.4% (2023) | 6.9% (2024) |
| Liechtenstein | 14.7% (2024) | ||
| Lithuania | 68.8% (2024) | 1.1% (2023) | 6.9% (2024) |
| Luxembourg | 94.8% (2024) | 0.1% (2023) | 6.4% (2024) |
| Moldova | 43.5% (2024) | 0.0% (2024) | 1.4% (2024) |
| Monaco | 100.0% (2024) | ||
| Montenegro | 65.5% (2024) | 2.5% (2021) | 13.2% (2024) |
| Netherlands | 95.6% (2024) | 0.1% (2021) | 3.7% (2024) |
| North Macedonia | 62.6% (2024) | 3.9% (2019) | 12.3% (2024) |
| Norway | 83.3% (2024) | 0.2% (2023) | 4.0% (2024) |
| Poland | 60.0% (2024) | 0.2% (2023) | 2.8% (2024) |
| Portugal | 61.3% (2024) | 0.4% (2023) | 6.5% (2024) |
| Romania | 52.2% (2024) | 0.7% (2023) | 5.4% (2024) |
| Russian Federation | 75.1% (2024) | 0.1% (2023) | 2.4% (2024) |
| San Marino | 97.2% (2024) | ||
| Serbia | 62.4% (2024) | 1.1% (2023) | 7.2% (2024) |
| Slovak Republic | 53.2% (2024) | 0.5% (2023) | 5.3% (2024) |
| Slovenia | 55.8% (2024) | 0.0% (2023) | 3.7% (2024) |
| Spain | 80.3% (2024) | 0.8% (2023) | 11.4% (2024) |
| Sweden | 88.9% (2024) | 0.8% (2023) | 8.4% (2024) |
| Switzerland | 85.5% (2024) | 0.1% (2023) | 4.3% (2024) |
| Tajikistan | 26.2% (2024) | 6.1% (2024) | 7.0% (2024) |
| Turkiye | 89.3% (2024) | 0.2% (2023) | 8.8% (2024) |
| Turkmenistan | 47.1% (2024) | 4.0% (2024) | |
| Ukraine | 69.5% (2024) | 0.0% (2020) | 9.8% (2021) |
| United Kingdom | 83.2% (2024) | 0.4% (2021) | 4.4% (2024) |
| Uzbekistan | 51.0% (2024) | 2.7% (2024) | 4.4% (2024) |
Latin America & Caribbean (42)
| Country | Urban population | Poverty rate | Youth unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antigua and Barbuda | 24.4% (2024) | ||
| Argentina | 92.3% (2024) | 1.0% (2024) | 7.2% (2024) |
| Aruba | 61.8% (2024) | ||
| Bahamas, The | 81.3% (2024) | 9.0% (2024) | |
| Barbados | 59.5% (2024) | 6.4% (2024) | |
| Belize | 41.8% (2024) | 1.0% (2018) | 8.7% (2024) |
| Bolivia | 71.2% (2024) | 2.1% (2024) | 3.3% (2024) |
| Brazil | 87.9% (2024) | 3.0% (2024) | 6.8% (2024) |
| British Virgin Islands | 56.5% (2024) | ||
| Cayman Islands | 100.0% (2024) | ||
| Chile | 89.0% (2024) | 0.4% (2024) | 8.7% (2024) |
| Colombia | 78.5% (2024) | 8.5% (2024) | 9.6% (2024) |
| Costa Rica | 79.3% (2024) | 1.3% (2024) | 6.9% (2024) |
| Cuba | 77.2% (2024) | 1.8% (2024) | |
| Curacao | 91.4% (2024) | ||
| Dominica | 73.5% (2024) | ||
| Dominican Republic | 72.4% (2024) | 0.8% (2024) | 5.3% (2024) |
| Ecuador | 63.2% (2024) | 7.3% (2024) | 3.5% (2024) |
| El Salvador | 75.1% (2024) | 4.6% (2023) | 3.3% (2024) |
| Grenada | 36.6% (2024) | 0.8% (2018) | |
| Guatemala | 56.0% (2024) | 9.7% (2023) | 2.6% (2024) |
| Guyana | 26.5% (2024) | 11.9% (2024) | |
| Haiti | 55.0% (2024) | 14.6% (2024) | |
| Honduras | 58.8% (2024) | 15.7% (2024) | 4.9% (2024) |
| Jamaica | 58.9% (2024) | 1.4% (2021) | 3.2% (2024) |
| Mexico | 79.8% (2024) | 1.6% (2024) | 2.7% (2024) |
| Nicaragua | 59.3% (2024) | 5.0% (2024) | |
| Panama | 66.0% (2024) | 3.1% (2024) | 8.5% (2024) |
| Paraguay | 69.9% (2024) | 2.1% (2024) | 5.7% (2024) |
| Peru | 85.2% (2024) | 5.1% (2024) | 5.2% (2024) |
| Puerto Rico (US) | 94.3% (2024) | 5.6% (2024) | |
| Sint Maarten (Dutch part) | 100.0% (2024) | ||
| St. Kitts and Nevis | 31.8% (2024) | ||
| St. Lucia | 29.1% (2024) | 10.2% (2024) | |
| St. Martin (French part) | 100.0% (2024) | ||
| St. Vincent and the Grenadines | 47.8% (2024) | 18.1% (2024) | |
| Suriname | 65.8% (2024) | 2.2% (2022) | 7.6% (2024) |
| Trinidad and Tobago | 54.0% (2024) | 3.3% (2024) | |
| Turks and Caicos Islands | 94.2% (2024) | ||
| Uruguay | 95.6% (2024) | 0.2% (2024) | 8.2% (2024) |
| Venezuela, RB | 89.3% (2024) | 5.3% (2024) | |
| Virgin Islands (U.S.) | 95.3% (2024) | 11.4% (2024) |
North America (3)
| Country | Urban population | Poverty rate | Youth unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bermuda | 100.0% (2024) | ||
| Canada | 82.7% (2024) | 0.3% (2022) | 6.4% (2024) |
| United States | 80.1% (2024) | 1.1% (2024) | 4.0% (2024) |
South Asia (6)
| Country | Urban population | Poverty rate | Youth unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh | 32.7% (2024) | 5.9% (2022) | 3.6% (2024) |
| Bhutan | 42.6% (2024) | 0.0% (2022) | 3.3% (2024) |
| India | 35.4% (2024) | 2.6% (2023) | 4.2% (2024) |
| Maldives | 42.0% (2024) | 0.0% (2019) | 4.3% (2024) |
| Nepal | 66.8% (2024) | 2.4% (2022) | 10.5% (2024) |
| Sri Lanka | 20.3% (2024) | 2.7% (2019) | 4.2% (2024) |
Sub-Saharan Africa (48)
| Country | Urban population | Poverty rate | Youth unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Angola | 70.7% (2024) | 39.3% (2018) | 14.0% (2024) |
| Benin | 52.5% (2024) | 27.2% (2021) | 1.6% (2024) |
| Botswana | 67.5% (2024) | 23.8% (2024) | |
| Burkina Faso | 28.3% (2024) | 42.1% (2021) | 3.4% (2024) |
| Burundi | 24.8% (2024) | 74.2% (2020) | 0.9% (2024) |
| Cabo Verde | 76.8% (2024) | 11.9% (2024) | |
| Cameroon | 55.4% (2024) | 26.7% (2021) | 3.6% (2024) |
| Central African Republic | 44.1% (2024) | 71.6% (2021) | 6.3% (2024) |
| Chad | 26.9% (2024) | 39.5% (2022) | 1.1% (2024) |
| Comoros | 33.5% (2024) | 5.1% (2024) | 3.8% (2024) |
| Congo, Dem. Rep. | 44.7% (2024) | 85.3% (2020) | 4.4% (2024) |
| Congo, Rep. | 63.9% (2024) | 19.9% (2024) | |
| Cote d'Ivoire | 54.0% (2024) | 20.8% (2021) | 2.3% (2024) |
| Equatorial Guinea | 71.4% (2024) | 8.8% (2022) | 8.3% (2024) |
| Eritrea | 34.5% (2024) | 5.9% (2024) | |
| Eswatini | 26.2% (2024) | 34.6% (2024) | |
| Ethiopia | 23.6% (2024) | 38.6% (2021) | 3.4% (2024) |
| Gabon | 91.9% (2024) | 20.1% (2024) | |
| Gambia, The | 64.3% (2024) | 22.0% (2020) | 6.5% (2024) |
| Ghana | 58.4% (2024) | 2.8% (2024) | |
| Guinea | 38.1% (2024) | 11.7% (2018) | 5.1% (2024) |
| Guinea-Bissau | 46.1% (2024) | 39.9% (2021) | 2.6% (2024) |
| Kenya | 31.9% (2024) | 45.5% (2022) | 5.5% (2024) |
| Lesotho | 43.7% (2024) | 16.3% (2024) | |
| Liberia | 55.5% (2024) | 2.9% (2024) | |
| Madagascar | 32.4% (2024) | 69.2% (2021) | 3.1% (2024) |
| Malawi | 17.3% (2024) | 75.4% (2019) | 5.1% (2024) |
| Mali | 31.6% (2024) | 36.1% (2021) | 2.9% (2024) |
| Mauritania | 60.6% (2024) | 10.2% (2019) | 10.3% (2024) |
| Mauritius | 39.0% (2024) | 5.5% (2024) | |
| Mozambique | 36.4% (2024) | 81.4% (2022) | 6.7% (2024) |
| Namibia | 50.4% (2024) | 19.2% (2024) | |
| Niger | 18.0% (2024) | 60.5% (2021) | 0.4% (2024) |
| Nigeria | 63.0% (2024) | 41.8% (2022) | 3.0% (2024) |
| Rwanda | 29.9% (2024) | 38.6% (2023) | 11.3% (2024) |
| Sao Tome and Principe | 68.9% (2024) | 9.1% (2024) | |
| Senegal | 55.2% (2024) | 17.9% (2021) | 2.8% (2024) |
| Seychelles | 45.3% (2024) | 0.7% (2018) | |
| Sierra Leone | 45.4% (2024) | 41.5% (2018) | 3.1% (2024) |
| Somalia, Fed. Rep. | 54.6% (2024) | 18.9% (2024) | |
| South Africa | 63.7% (2024) | 17.4% (2022) | 32.3% (2024) |
| South Sudan | 21.4% (2024) | 12.4% (2023) | |
| Sudan | 34.9% (2024) | 7.5% (2022) | |
| Tanzania | 36.2% (2024) | 51.3% (2018) | 1.6% (2024) |
| Togo | 43.8% (2024) | 34.7% (2021) | 1.9% (2024) |
| Uganda | 31.3% (2024) | 54.4% (2023) | 2.7% (2024) |
| Zambia | 45.5% (2024) | 71.7% (2022) | 5.9% (2024) |
| Zimbabwe | 39.9% (2024) | 49.2% (2019) | 9.4% (2024) |
Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan (23)
| Country | Urban population | Poverty rate | Youth unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 25.7% (2024) | 13.7% (2024) | |
| Algeria | 75.3% (2024) | 11.7% (2024) | |
| Bahrain | 100.0% (2024) | 1.1% (2024) | |
| Djibouti | 72.9% (2024) | 26.0% (2024) | |
| Egypt, Arab Rep. | 42.8% (2024) | 1.4% (2021) | 6.8% (2024) |
| Iran, Islamic Rep. | 77.0% (2024) | 2.5% (2023) | 8.1% (2024) |
| Iraq | 69.9% (2024) | 0.5% (2023) | 15.3% (2024) |
| Israel | 91.5% (2024) | 0.4% (2022) | 3.6% (2024) |
| Jordan | 93.0% (2024) | 16.7% (2024) | |
| Kuwait | 100.0% (2024) | 2.2% (2024) | |
| Lebanon | 90.7% (2024) | 5.8% (2022) | 11.0% (2023) |
| Libya | 87.9% (2024) | 19.1% (2024) | |
| Malta | 95.7% (2024) | 0.4% (2023) | 3.1% (2024) |
| Morocco | 62.8% (2024) | 9.1% (2024) | |
| Oman | 79.4% (2024) | 3.2% (2024) | |
| Pakistan | 39.2% (2024) | 23.0% (2024) | 5.5% (2024) |
| Qatar | 99.3% (2024) | 0.1% (2024) | |
| Saudi Arabia | 84.5% (2024) | 3.5% (2024) | |
| Syrian Arab Republic | 72.1% (2024) | 18.0% (2022) | 13.4% (2024) |
| Tunisia | 70.4% (2024) | 0.7% (2021) | 15.3% (2024) |
| United Arab Emirates | 85.8% (2024) | 0.0% (2018) | 2.2% (2024) |
| West Bank and Gaza | 87.1% (2024) | 2.1% (2023) | 24.4% (2022) |
| Yemen, Rep. | 36.8% (2024) | 17.0% (2024) |
About these figures
Every number on this page comes from the World Bank Open Data, with the year it was observed attached. World Bank data is released under CC BY 4.0 Retrieved 2026-11-01.
This page describes the shape of the data. It does not rank countries against each other, and it says nothing about the people who live in them — a low figure is a fact about conditions and about what the source reports, not a verdict on a population. Our editorial standard.
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