Senegal’s labour market deteriorated markedly in the fourth quarter of 2025, with the broad unemployment rate climbing to 23.3 percent — a 3.3 percentage point increase year-on-year, according to data released by the National Agency for Statistics and Demography (ANSD).
The worsening unemployment situation was accompanied by a decline in labour force participation.
The activity rate now stands at 55.5 percent of the working-age population, down 1.5 points from a year earlier, signalling growing discouragement among potential workers.
Significant territorial disparities persist. Unemployment stands at 29.2 percent in rural areas, compared with 19.6 percent in urban zones.
Young people are the hardest hit, with a rate of 27.4 percent, well above the 18.7 percent recorded for adults.
Women also remain more affected, recording lower participation rates than men both in cities and in the countryside.
Under the strict definition of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the unemployment rate stands at 5.4 percent, highlighting the wide gap with the broader measure that includes underemployment and discouraged workers.
These figures come as Senegalese authorities have made youth employment a central priority, amid strong demographic and social pressures.
TE/Sf/lb/jn/APA
Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit reaffirms Morocco’s firm and unwavering support for brother Arab countries in the face of Iranian aggressions.
Iran: Morocco reiterates support for brother Arab countries
Moroccan Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit has reaffirmed Morocco’s firm and unwavering support for brother Arab countries in the face of Iranian aggressions.
Alongside this support, the minister reiterated the Kingdom’s categorical rejection of anything that could undermine the sovereignty of these countries or threaten their security and stability, according to a statement from the Interior Ministry.
“The Kingdom reaffirms its firm and constant support for brother Arab countries, as well as its categorical rejection of any actions likely to infringe upon their sovereignty or threaten their security and stability,” Laftit said during the proceedings of the 43rd session of the Council of Arab Interior Ministers held on Wednesday by videoconference with the participation of his Arab counterparts and representatives of Arab organisations.
The Moroccan minister expressed the Kingdom’s strong condemnation of Iranian aggressions, its full solidarity with the targeted brother countries, and its resolute commitment to serving Arab causes.
He noted that the Kingdom of Morocco “is following with deep concern the rapid developments in the Middle East and the Iranian attacks against brother Arab countries in the region.”
He stressed that resorting to peaceful and diplomatic solutions remains the most appropriate way to resolve crises to prevent further escalation and preserve regional security and stability.
The session provided an opportunity to examine several security issues of common interest, in a context marked by heightened challenges in the Arab region and security threats weighing on the stability of several Arab countries.
At the end of the session, the Council adopted a series of resolutions aimed at strengthening joint security action and enhancing coordination among Arab states to address current and future challenges.
The Council’s work concluded with a declaration condemning Iranian aggressions against Arab countries, which constitute a flagrant violation of their sovereignty, international law and the United Nations Charter, as well as a serious threat to international peace and security.
AK/te/Sf/lb/jn/APA