SESRIC launched the OIC Labour Market Report 2025 during the Sixth Session of the Islamic Conference of Labour Ministers (ICLM), held on 15–16 October 2025 in Doha, Qatar. The report presents the latest labour market trends in OIC countries and reviews progress towards the implementation of the OIC Labour Market Strategy 2025.

According to the main findings of the report, the share of OIC countries in the world’s total labour force aged 15 and above has steadily increased from 19.1% in 2010 to 21.5% in 2024. However, there are considerable challenges in providing decent job opportunities for the labour force. The total unemployment rate was on average 5.3% in OIC countries, 4.8% in non-OIC developing countries and 4.6% in developed countries. The youth population faces particular challenges in labour markets. As of 2024, youth unemployment in OIC countries is estimated to reach 10.9%. Moreover, 26.3% of youth are estimated to be in not in employment, education or training (NEET) status in OIC countries.

Overall, the report reveals that the labour force participation rate, employment-to-population ratio, the share of the labour force with tertiary education are lower, but the female unemployment rate, the share of vulnerable employment, the share of employment in agriculture, inactivity rate, and the share of labour force primary education are higher in OIC countries compared to other developing and developed countries. On the other hand, the OIC member countries have also witnessed substantial improvements in the functioning of their labour markets as the shares of vulnerable employment and working poor have decreased from 54.4% to 49.8% and 17.2% to 10.4%, respectively, during the period 2010-2023. However, ongoing uncertainties, climate change, migration, conflicts are expected to jeopardize the hard earned gains towards improving the labour market situation in OIC member countries and put policymakers in a more challenging situation.

The report also provides a detailed analysis of the implementation of the OIC Labour Market Strategy 2025 based on the results of a survey conducted by SESRIC. Assessment of key performance indicators (KPIs) reveals that while some progress has been made in reducing the working poverty rate, improving productivity and skills levels, indicators on participation in the labour market, unemployment, youth unemployment and the gender gap in labour market participation could not be improved. Based on the response to the SESRIC survey from 23 OIC countries, 33.5% of all actions recommended in the strategy document were completed, 32.4% were initiated but not completed and 34.1% were not initiated yet.

Online Electronic Version

OIC Labour Market Report 2025: Harnessing Digitalization for Inclusive and Equitable Labour Markets (English) (Arabic) (French).