The unemployment rate for individuals aged 15 years and above in the country increased to 5.2 percent in April, which was the highest in the past six months. The unemployment rate in March was 5.1 percent. Previously, the unemployment rate in October 2025 was 5.2 percent.

According to the Periodic Labor Force Survey released by the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation, the unemployment rate in urban areas declined from 6.8% in March to 6.6% in April, while in rural areas it increased from 4.3% to 4.6%. The survey was based on data collected from 374,243 people across the country.

Men’s unemployment rate in April was 5.1 percent, which was an increase from 5.0 percent in March. Rural areas’ men’s unemployment rate increased to 4.7 percent from 4.4 percent, while urban areas’ unemployment rate decreased to 5.9 percent from 6.1 percent. Female unemployment increased to 5.4 percent from 5.3 percent in March.

Rural female unemployment increased to 4.4 percent, while urban female unemployment rate declined to 8.5 percent. This is the lowest level since April last year. The Women's Participation Ratio (WPR), or the proportion of the working population, stood at 52.2 percent in April, down from 52.6 percent in March. It remained stable at 46.8 percent in urban areas, while it declined to 54.9 percent in rural areas.

The Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) declined to 55 percent in April, down from 55.4 percent in March. It was 57.5% in rural areas and 50.1% in urban areas. The labor force participation rate for women aged 15 years and above declined to 33.9% in April 2026, from 34.4% in March. The LFPR for rural women was 38.2% and for urban women was 25%.