The statistic shows the unemployment rate in Japan from 1999 to 2023. In 2023, the unemployment rate in Japan was at about 2.6 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: From 15 to 24 Years for Japan (LRHU24TTJPM156N) from Jan 1968 to Jan 2025 about 15 to 24 years, harmonized, Japan, unemployment, and rate.

In 2024, around four percent of the population aged 15 to 24 years old in Japan were unemployed, the highest share among all age groups. Japan's unemployment rate has been comparatively low compared to other major industrial and emerging countries.

Youth Unemployment Rate in Japan decreased to 3.80 percent in October from 4 percent in September of 2024. 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.

In 2024, the unemployment rate in Japan stood at 2.7 percent for men and 2.4 percent for women. That year, there were close to 1.8 million people who were unemployed despite actively searching for a job.

Key information about Japan Unemployment Rate

• Japan Unemployment Rate dropped to 2.40% in Dec 2024, from the previously reported figure of 2.50% in Nov 2024.
• Japan Unemployment Rate is updated monthly, available from Jan 1953 to Dec 2024, 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.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Unemployment Rate Total: 15 Years or over for Japan (LRUNTTTTJPM156N) from Jan 1955 to Jan 2025 about 15 years +, Japan, unemployment, and rate.

In 2024, the unemployment rate in the Okinawa area was around 3.2 percent, the highest among regions in Japan. In contrast, the Hokuriku area had the lowest unemployment rate with two percent.

Japan Unemployment Rate: Region: Hokkaido data was reported at 2.800 % in Sep 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 3.000 % for Jun 2018. Japan Unemployment Rate: Region: Hokkaido data is updated quarterly, averaging 4.400 % from Mar 1983 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 143 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8.100 % in Mar 2003 and a record low of 2.100 % in Sep 1992. Japan Unemployment Rate: Region: Hokkaido data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistical Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.G034: Labour Force Survey: Unemployment Rate by Region.

In January 2025, the unemployment rate in Japan stood at 2.6 percent for men and 2.3 percent for women. The lowest unemployment rate in the observed period was 2.4 percent among male and two percent among female jobseekers.

Japan JP: Unemployment Rate data was reported at 2.808 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 3.117 % for 2016. Japan JP: Unemployment Rate data is updated yearly, averaging 3.592 % from Dec 1985 (Median) to 2017, with 33 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5.375 % in 2002 and a record low of 2.100 % in 1991. Japan JP: Unemployment Rate data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Monetary Fund. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.IMF.IFS: Labour Force, Employment and Unemployment: Annual.

Japan Unemployment Rate: Region: Kyusyu, Okinawa data was reported at 2.600 % in Sep 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 2.700 % for Jun 2018. Japan Unemployment Rate: Region: Kyusyu, Okinawa data is updated quarterly, averaging 4.000 % from Mar 1983 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 143 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6.600 % in Jun 2003 and a record low of 2.400 % in Dec 1992. Japan Unemployment Rate: Region: Kyusyu, Okinawa data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistical Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.G034: Labour Force Survey: Unemployment Rate by Region.

Japan JP: NAIRU: Equilibrium Unemployment Rate data was reported at 2.858 % in 2022. This records a decrease from the previous number of 2.886 % for 2021. Japan JP: NAIRU: Equilibrium Unemployment Rate data is updated yearly, averaging 3.318 % from Dec 1985 (Median) to 2022, with 38 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.375 % in 2003 and a record low of 2.257 % in 1985. Japan JP: NAIRU: Equilibrium Unemployment Rate 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: Non-Accelerating Inflation Rate of Unemployment (NAIRU): Forecast: OECD Member: Annual. NAIRU - Equilibrium unemployment rate The equilibrium unemployment rate (code NAIRU) is estimated using a Kalman filter in a Phillips curve framework which assumes inflation expectations are anchored at the central bank’s inflation target . The NAIRU is then projected forward from the last estimated period using a simple autoregressive rule, exceptionally modified to account for recent labour market reforms, until the end of the forecasting horizon More details on methodology in Rusticelli E., Turner D. and M. C. Cavalleri (2015), Incorporating anchored inflation expectations in the Phillips Curve and in the derivation of OECD measures of equilibrium unemployment, OECD Economics Department Working Papers No.1231 OECD, Economics Department Working Papers: Incorporating anchored inflation expectations in the Phillips Curve and in the derivation of OECD measures of equilibrium unemployment:https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/economics/incorporating-anchored-inflation-expectations-in-the-phillips-curve-and-in-the-derivation-of-oecd-measures-of-equilibrium-unemployment_5js1gmq551wd-en

Japan Unemployment Rate: Region: Chugoku, Shikoku data was reported at 2.300 % in Sep 2018. This stayed constant from the previous number of 2.300 % for Jun 2018. Japan Unemployment Rate: Region: Chugoku, Shikoku data is updated quarterly, averaging 3.200 % from Mar 1983 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 143 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5.200 % in Jun 2003 and a record low of 1.600 % in Dec 1991. Japan Unemployment Rate: Region: Chugoku, Shikoku data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistical Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.G034: Labour Force Survey: Unemployment Rate by Region.

At 2.5 percent in June 2023, Japan’s unemployment rate is very low compared to other advanced economies. The fact that it has remained this low for a full year would concern most economists in any other country. However, since Japan has been fighting deflation for many years, the normal rationale does not apply. Causes of unemployment Unemployment can arise from an economic recession, when demand falls and firms lay off workers. It can also be the result of workers and firms not matching, such as there being too many lawyers and not enough doctors in an area. Finally, search unemployment refers to the time between a worker ending one job and starting another. Economists consider this to be efficient in most cases because it gives firms and workers the time to find the best match. The Japanese context Japan’s inflation rate has remained stubbornly low since the 1990s, sometimes even becoming negative - or deflation. This has caused firms to delay investment and consumers to delay major purchases, which has in turn led to low GDP growth. In most economies, this would lead to high inflation. However, given the decreasing population and thus the decreasing workforce, it is possible that firms are retaining workers due to labor scarcity. It is also possible that low unemployment is a product of high government spending or low workforce participation. In any event, this statistic underscores the unique situation of the Japanese economy.

The youth unemployment rate in Japan decreased by 0.3 percentage points (-6.8 percent) compared to the previous year. Nevertheless, the last two years recorded a significantly higher youth unemployment rate than the preceding years.The youth unemployment rate refers to the share of the economically active population aged 15 to 24 currently without work but in search of employment. The youth unemployment rate does not include economically inactive persons such as the long-term unemployed or full-time students.Find more key insights for the youth unemployment rate in countries like Mongolia and China.

Japan Unemployment Rate: Region: Southern-Kanto data was reported at 2.500 % in Sep 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 2.600 % for Jun 2018. Japan Unemployment Rate: Region: Southern-Kanto data is updated quarterly, averaging 3.500 % from Mar 1983 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 143 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5.700 % in Jun 2002 and a record low of 2.000 % in Dec 1989. Japan Unemployment Rate: Region: Southern-Kanto data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistical Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.G034: Labour Force Survey: Unemployment Rate by Region.

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.

Japan Unemployment Rate: Female: 35 to 44 Year data was reported at 2.200 % in Sep 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 1.900 % for Aug 2018. Japan Unemployment Rate: Female: 35 to 44 Year data is updated monthly, averaging 2.400 % from Jan 1968 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 609 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5.600 % in Jun 2010 and a record low of 0.400 % in Nov 1973. Japan Unemployment Rate: Female: 35 to 44 Year data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistical Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.G029: Labour Force Survey: Unemployment Rate.

Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) in Japan was reported at 2.6 % in 2023, 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 March of 2025.