In 2024, the unemployment rate in Worldwide stood at 4.89 percent. Between 1991 and 2024, the figure dropped by 0.24 percentage points, though the decline followed an uneven course rather than a steady trajectory.

The average for 2025 based on 101 countries was 6.64 percent. The highest value was in Sudan: 61.99 percent and the lowest value was in Thailand: 1 percent. The indicator is available from 1980 to 2030. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

From 2000 until 2019, youth unemployment fluctuated between 13 and 15.5 percent, before it rose above 17 percent in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. Youth unemployment Just like the general unemployment rate, youth unemployment is recorded and monitored to gauge the job market situation in a country and worldwide. Youth unemployment includes unemployed individuals aged 15 to 24, typically referring to those who have either just finished school or graduated and are looking for jobs. In order to be registered as unemployed, a person must be able to work, unemployed, and looking for a job. Usually youth unemployment is higher than adult unemployment, as many graduates do not find employment right after they have graduated. Regional breakdown The world region with the highest youth unemployment rate has been the Arab World for the past two decades, while East Asia and the Pacific has generally had the lowest rate. Apart from the sharp rise in 2020, the most notable increase came in 2009 as a result of the Great Recession; while this increase can be observed on a global scale, its impact on youth unemployment was more severely felt in more advanced economies in Europe and North America.

The statistic shows the unemployment rate in selected world regions between 2019 and 2024. In 2024, the unemployment rate in the Arab World was estimated to have been at 9.46 percent. Unemployment around the globe Following the global financial crisis in 2008, unemployment saw considerable downturns around the globe, most notably in 2009. Unemployment rates, despite experiencing dramatic improvements over the years following the crisis, still have not reached pre-2009 levels for the large majority of countries. The same trend is followed with unemployment among the youth between the ages of 15 and 24, around the world. Many youth experienced layoffs after 2008, mainly because their skills were interchangeable and easily replaceable and as a result, youth unemployment increased, although the situation has improved slightly. The unemployment rate in selected world regions remained relatively stagnant year-over-year from 2012 to 2013, however is expected to improve over the long run based on current employment trends. Economic improvement around the world is primarily evident from growth of real gross domestic product , which has been relatively positive in most countries with the exception of those in the euro area. Growth of real gross domestic product points to economic growth as well as a higher productivity within each country. On the other hand, other indicators of economic health, such as inflation, point to further economic distraught, as inflation is expected to increase globally, most prominently in non-developed countries.

This dataset provides unemployment rates for all countries from 1991 to 2023, based on modeled estimates from the International Labour Organization (ILO). It offers insights into global labor trends, regional employment challenges, and economic shifts across decades.

This dataset is particularly useful for economic research, labor market analysis, trend forecasting, and policy evaluation.

Data Source Source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS?end=2023&start=2023&view=map&year=2015 Official Website: ILOSTAT Database Time Period: 1991–2023 Geographical Coverage: All countries and regional aggregates

Dataset Features The dataset includes the following columns:

Country Name: Name of the country or region Country Code: ISO3 country code Indicator Name: Name of the labor market indicator Indicator Code: Unique code for the indicator Yearly Unemployment Data (1991–2023): Percentage of the labor force that is unemployed for each year

The average for 2023 based on 177 countries was 15.77 percent. The highest value was in Djibouti: 76.27 percent and the lowest value was in Niger: 0.42 percent. The indicator is available from 1991 to 2024. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

Globally, the youth unemployment rate (of those aged 15-24 years) fluctuated between 13 and 15.5 percent in each year between 2000 and 2019, before it rose above 17 percent in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Broken down by global region, however, there was much more variation. The Arab World was the region with the highest rate of youth unemployment in each year of the previous two decades, while East Asia and the Pacific generally had the lowest youth unemployment rate. Additionally there was a notable increase in regions with the most advanced economies after 2008, as these were the most severely hit during the Great Recession.

International comparisons of employment, unemployment and economic inactivity, published monthly. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Unemployment Rate in China decreased to 5.10 percent in October from 5.20 percent in September of 2025. This dataset provides - China Unemployment Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

This dataset provides values for UNEMPLOYMENT RATE reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

Graph and download economic data for Youth Unemployment Rate for the United States (SLUEM1524ZSUSA) from 1991 to 2024 about 15 to 24 years, unemployment, rate, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Youth Unemployment Rate for Least Developed Countries (SLUEM1524ZSLDC) from 1991 to 2024 about unemployment and rate.

Between 2019 and 2020, the number of unemployed people worldwide increased from 197.47 million to 231.06 million, the biggest annual increase in unemployment in this provided time period. In 2024, the number of people unemployed decreased down to 185.97 million.

Key information about US Unemployment Rate

• US Unemployment Rate increased to 4.10% in Feb 2025, from the previously reported figure of 4.00% in Jan 2025.
• US Unemployment Rate is updated monthly, available from Jan 1948 to Feb 2025, with an average rate of 5.50%.
• The data reached an all-time high of 14.80% in Apr 2020 and a record low of 2.50% in Jun 1953.
• The data is reported by reported by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• In the latest reports, US Population reached 341.16 million people in Dec 2024.

As of March 2025, South Africa had the highest unemployment rate among the 19* countries that are members of the G20. The unemployment rate in South Africa stood at **** percent that year. The country has recently been plagued by an economic downturn, including energy shortages and high unemployment levels. On the other hand, Japan had the lowest unemployment rate at just *** percent. Economic inequality in South Africa Not only does South Africa top the G20 in overall unemployment, but it also has a significant level of youth unemployment, as nearly half of the young population is unemployed. Thirty years after the end of Apartheid, South Africa is also still one of the most unequal countries in the world, with a Gini score of ****. The prominence of inequality in the country makes escaping unemployment and underemployment difficult. Japanese economic slowdown While Japan had the lowest unemployment rate out of all G20 nations, as well as the lowest youth unemployment rate out of the G20 nations, Japan’s economy is still facing many challenges. With an aging population, the total Japanese population is facing a rapid decline, meaning that it will struggle to have enough workers participating in the labor market. Despite this, Japan maintains strict immigration policies, limiting the chances for foreign workers to move to Japan. Moreover, Japan has the second lowest fertility rate out of the G7 nations and one of the lowest fertility rates globally, adding another challenge in addressing population shrinkage.

Graph and download economic data for Youth Unemployment Rate for the Arab World (SLUEM1524ZSARB) from 1991 to 2024 about Arab World, unemployment, and rate.

This dataset provides values for UNEMPLOYMENT RATE reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

This dataset provides values for UNEMPLOYMENT RATE reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

The average for 2024 based on 7 countries was 4.97 percent. The highest value was in France: 7.37 percent and the lowest value was in Japan: 2.56 percent. The indicator is available from 1991 to 2024. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

Yemen Unemployment Rate: World Bank data was reported at 12.934 % in 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 13.175 % for 2017. Yemen Unemployment Rate: World Bank data is updated yearly, averaging 11.702 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2018, with 28 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 14.023 % in 2015 and a record low of 7.981 % in 1992. Yemen Unemployment Rate: World Bank data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by CEIC Data. The data is categorized under World Trend Plus’s Global Economic Monitor – Table YE.G004: Unemployment Rate. The World Bank provides monthly Unemployment Rate.