Unemployment in Djibouti: a very high level
The French Treasury's directorate general, cited by Agence Ecofin in June 2026, puts unemployment at 25.9% in 2024. Among young people it is said to approach 70%, with no year specified. Every formal vacancy therefore attracts many applicants.
Djibouti's informal economy
According to the same source, the informal sector absorbs nearly 90% of national employment. Poverty affects 42% of the population according to the World Bank, despite growth of 6.6% in 2024 estimated by the AfDB.
ANEFIP, Djibouti's national employment agency
The National Agency for Employment, Training and Vocational Integration reports to the Ministry of Labour. In 2022 it registered 2,827 jobseekers and placed 260 young people, according to the Council of Ministers of 13 December 2022.
Registering and following ANEFIP vacancies
The ANEFIP website publishes job vacancy pages, but its current operation has not been verified by our sources. The safest approach is to visit the agency in person with your CV and degrees, and ask about available training courses.
Biometric work cards for foreigners in Djibouti
Since 1 January 2023, ANEFIP has issued biometric work authorisation cards. Its revenue comes mainly from work permits and professional cards. The fee schedule is set by a law of 1 March 2012; amounts not verified.
Djibouti's 2006 Labour Code
Law No. 133/AN/05/5ème L of 28 January 2006 constitutes the Labour Code. It replaces the 1997 law that amended the 1952 Code. A law of 16 February 2011 subsequently amended its Articles 41, 214 and 215.
Working hours and wages in Djiboutian law
Working hours and rest are covered in Title III, Articles 83 to 107. Wages are dealt with in Title IV, Articles 136 to 158. Article 113 was amended in 2019 and again in 2025, so consult the consolidated version.
Djibouti's minimum wage: amount unconfirmed
No reliable source consulted confirms the current amount of the minimum wage in Djibouti. Be wary of figures without an official reference and ask the employer for a breakdown of gross pay, bonuses and deductions.
Youth training in Djibouti
Agence Ecofin reports that Djibouti is training 4,000 young people in key skills to help them access employment. Young graduates would do well to ask ANEFIP about these programmes, which usefully complement a university education.
Port, logistics and energy in Djibouti
The port and the corridors to Ethiopia underpin part of Djibouti's economic activity, and the country is among those that have announced a Mission 300 energy compact. See our pages on logistics and transport and energy and mining for these sectors.
NGOs and international organisations in Djibouti
ReliefWeb offers a dedicated list of vacancies in Djibouti, posted by United Nations agencies and NGOs. Supplement it with Impactpool and NGO Jobs in Africa, filtered on the country, and prepare an application in both French and English.
Ethiopia and Somalia, Djibouti's neighbouring markets
Logistics, humanitarian and sales profiles can also look across the borders. Our guides to employment in Ethiopia and employment in Somalia detail the available sources, which vary widely from one country to another.
Employment bodies and platforms in Djibouti
- ANEFIP: National Agency for Employment, Training and Vocational Integration: registration, placement and work permits.
- Ministère du Travail: Supervising ministry of ANEFIP; contact details and official website not verified by our sources.
- Présidence – Conseil des ministres du 13/12/2022: Official record detailing ANEFIP's budget, missions and 2022 results.
- NATLEX – Code du travail de 2006: ILO record of the law of 28 January 2006 establishing the Labour Code, with its amendments.
- ILOSTAT – Djibouti: ILO statistical profile for unemployment and employment in Djibouti.
- ReliefWeb – Djibouti Jobs: List of humanitarian and development vacancies based in Djibouti.
How to go about getting a job in Djibouti
- Register as a jobseeker with ANEFIP, bringing your CV, degrees and an identity document.
- Ask the agency about key-skills training courses aimed at young people.
- Monitor ReliefWeb, Impactpool and NGO Jobs in Africa for NGO and UN agency posts in Djibouti.
- As a foreigner, secure a contract first, then have the biometric work authorisation card issued.
- Compare your contract with Titles III and IV of the 2006 Labour Code on working hours and pay.
Key employment data for Djibouti
| Indicator | Value | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate | 25.9% (2024) | French Treasury, cited by Agence Ecofin, June 2026 |
| Youth unemployment | Nearly 70% (year not specified) | Same source |
| Share of informal employment | Nearly 90% | Agence Ecofin, June 2026 |
| Jobseekers registered with ANEFIP | 2,827 (2022) | Council of Ministers, 13 December 2022 |
| Minimum wage (SMIG) | Not published in our sources | — |
Application file to prepare for Djibouti
- CV in French, and in English for international organisations
- Degrees and training certificates
- Identity document or valid passport
- Signed employment contract for foreigners
- Biometric work authorisation card issued by ANEFIP
- Professional card if the activity requires it
Bad practices to avoid in Djibouti
- Starting an assignment without a biometric work authorisation card, issued to foreign workers since January 2023.
- Paying an intermediary who promises a job at the port or on a foreign base: no serious recruitment requires fees from the applicant.
- Relying on a minimum wage figure found on a forum: no recent official amount has been confirmed, so demand a written breakdown of pay.
- Neglecting English for posts with international organisations and in logistics, which are oriented towards Ethiopia and foreign partners.
- Quoting an article of the Labour Code without checking its amendments, notably Article 113, revised in 2019 and in 2025.
Jobs in Djibouti: your questions
What is the unemployment rate in Djibouti?
The French Treasury, cited by Agence Ecofin in June 2026, estimates it at 25.9% in 2024, and at nearly 70% among young people. The informal sector absorbs nearly 90% of employment. The World Bank page did not display a readable value.
How do I get a work permit in Djibouti?
ANEFIP, under the Ministry of Labour, has issued biometric work authorisation cards since 2023. Fees are governed by a 2012 law whose amounts are not verified here. The employer will explain the procedure to you.
What is ANEFIP?
It is Djibouti's National Agency for Employment, Training and Vocational Integration. It registers jobseekers, supports young people into work and issues work permits and professional cards. In 2022 it placed 260 young people.
What is the minimum wage in Djibouti?
Our sources did not allow us to confirm a current minimum wage amount. Wages are dealt with in Title IV of the 2006 Labour Code, Articles 136 to 158. Before signing, insist on a written contract stating gross salary and benefits.
Where can I find NGO vacancies in Djibouti?
ReliefWeb's Djibouti Jobs list gathers humanitarian and development adverts for the country. Impactpool and NGO Jobs in Africa complete this monitoring. Prepare a bilingual application and respect closing dates.
Official sources
Agence Ecofin – Formalisation de l'emploiagenceecofin.com
Agence Ecofin – 4 000 jeunes formésagenceecofin.com
NATLEX – Loi de 2011 (Djibouti)natlex.ilo.org
Banque mondiale – Chômage à Djiboutidata.worldbank.org
Information up to date as of October 2026. AfriqueJob.com does not recruit and never asks for money: beware of offers that demand fees.