Unemployment Rate in Japan remained unchanged at 2.50 percent in May. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Japan Unemployment Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

In May 2025, the unemployment rate in Japan stood at *** percent for men and *** percent for women. The lowest unemployment rate in the observed period was *** percent among male and *** percent among female jobseekers.

Key information about Japan Unemployment Rate

• Japan Unemployment Rate remained the same at 2.50% in Jan 2025, from the previously reported figure of 2.50% in Dec 2024.
• Japan Unemployment Rate is updated monthly, available from Jan 1953 to Jan 2025, with an average rate of 2.50%.
• The data reached an all-time high of 5.50% in Jul 2009 and a record low of 1.00% in Mar 1970.
• The data is reported by reported by Statistical Bureau.
• In the latest reports, Japan Population reached 123.74 million people in Dec 2024.

Unemployment rates in the selected OECD member countries are forecast to vary from *** percent in Japan to nearly ** percent in Spain in 2024. In 2025, the unemployment rate was forecast to decrease marginally in both countries.

Youth Unemployment Rate in Japan increased to 4.20 percent in February from 3.70 percent in January of 2025. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Japan Youth Unemployment Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Historical chart and dataset showing Japan unemployment rate by year from 1991 to 2024.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Unemployment Rate Total: From 55 to 64 Years for Japan (LRUN55TTJPM156N) from Jan 1968 to Apr 2025 about 55 to 64 years, Japan, unemployment, and rate.

Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) in Japan was reported at 2.563 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Japan - Unemployment, total - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

OECD Data Filters: REF_AREA: JPN MEASURE: UNE_LF UNIT_MEASURE: PT_LF_SUB TRANSFORMATION: _Z ADJUSTMENT: Y SEX: _T AGE: Y15T64 ACTIVITY: _Z FREQ: M

All OECD data should be cited as follows: OECD (year), (dataset name), (data source) DOI or https://data-explorer.oecd.org/ (https://data-explorer.oecd.org/). (accessed on (date)).

The number of unemployed persons in Japan decreased to 1680 Thousand in February of 2025 from 1740 Thousand in January of 2025. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Japan Unemployed Persons - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Employment Rate in Japan increased to 62.30 percent in May from 61.90 percent in April of 2025. This dataset provides - Japan Employment Rate- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

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.

Unemployment with advanced education (% of total labor force with advanced education) in Japan was reported at 2.47 % in 2020, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Japan - Unemployment with advanced education (% of total unemployment) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Unemployment Rate data was reported at 2.428 % in Feb 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 2.428 % for Jan 2025. Unemployment Rate data is updated monthly, averaging 3.429 % from Jan 1990 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 422 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5.519 % in Jun 2002 and a record low of 1.985 % in Dec 1990. Unemployment Rate data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.World Bank.GEM: Unemployment Rate.

Japan - Unemployment Rate Ages 15 to 64: 55 years of historical data from 1970 to 2025.

Japan JP: Employment Rate Gap data was reported at 0.854 % in 2026. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.294 % for 2025. Japan JP: Employment Rate Gap data is updated yearly, averaging -0.112 % from Dec 1985 (Median) to 2026, with 42 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.854 % in 2026 and a record low of -1.235 % in 2021. Japan JP: Employment Rate Gap data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.OECD.EO: Employment and Unemployment: Forecast: OECD Member: Annual.

Of the four largest G7 and BRICS economies respectively, India and Brazil consistently had the highest monthly unemployment rates, while Russia and Japan had the lowest at just over *** percent.

Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) in Japan was reported at 2.313 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Japan - Unemployment, female - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

The statistic shows the unemployment rate in Japan from 1999 to 2024. In 2024, the unemployment rate in Japan was at about 2.56 percent. Employment and the economy in Japan Japan is one of the leading countries when it comes to economic key factors; its unemployment rate, for example, is lower than that of other major industrial and emerging countries. The Japanese work ethic is well-known worldwide, it is synonymous with a strong devotion to the company and to the task at hand; competition among co-workers and loyalty to the company are common and encouraged, working hours and over-time work are said to be excessive. The Japanese language even has its own term for sudden death from being overworked – “Karoshi”. After the devastating effects of World War II, Japan managed to recover economically and even earn a prominent role among other leading economic powers – a fact which is probably partly due to this attitude towards work and employment. Today, Japan is among the leading import countries worldwide, as well as the leading export countries worldwide. Additionally, Japan is one of the 20 countries with the largest proportion of the global domestic product, and also among the 20 countries with the largest gross domestic product per capita, even though it is also ranked tenth among the leading countries with the largest population.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Monthly Unemployment Rate Total: 15 Years or over for Japan (LRHUTTTTJPM156S) from Jan 1955 to Apr 2025 about harmonized, Japan, unemployment, persons, and rate.