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.

In 2023, South Africa had the highest unemployment rate in the world, at 32.1 percent. Of the 10 countries with the highest unemployment rates, six were in Sub-Saharan Africa. What exactly is unemployment? The unemployment rate is the number of people in the workforce currently looking for jobs but not working. This number does not include students and retirees, as they are not looking for work, nor does it include people who have given up on finding a job (known as discouraged workers). Comparing international unemployment rates can be problematic, however, as different countries use different methodologies when classifying unemployment. For example, Niger records the third lowest unemployment rate in the world, despite often being listed as the least developed country worldwide - this is because the majority of the population engage in subsistence farming, with very little opportunity for paid employment. Causes of unemployment in less developed countries A major driver in unemployment in these countries is conflict. In particular, internally displaced persons (IDPs) want to work, but moving to another part of the country disrupts their business network and moves them into a local economy with different labor demand. Countries with low levels of economic development, as roughly indicated by a low GDP per capita, often have fewer labor market opportunities, leading to high unemployment rates.

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.

The average for 2023 based on 177 countries was 6.35 percent. The highest value was in Swaziland: 33.55 percent and the lowest value was in Qatar: 0.08 percent. The indicator is available from 1991 to 2024. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

This dataset provides values for LONG TERM 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 Bangladesh (SLUEM1524ZSBGD) from 1991 to 2024 about Bangladesh, 15 to 24 years, unemployment, and rate.

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.

Graph and download economic data for Youth Unemployment Rate for Indonesia (SLUEM1524ZSIDN) from 1991 to 2024 about 15 to 24 years, Indonesia, unemployment, and rate.

Graph and download economic data for Youth Unemployment Rate for Caribbean Small States (SLUEM1524ZSCSS) from 1991 to 2024 about Caribbean Economies, unemployment, and rate.

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.

Graph and download economic data for Youth Unemployment Rate: All Income Levels for Europe and Central Asia (SLUEM1524ZSECS) from 1991 to 2024 about Central Asia, Europe, income, 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.

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 56 countries was 5.13 percent. The highest value was in Spain: 11.39 percent and the lowest value was in Qatar: 0.13 percent. The indicator is available from 1991 to 2024. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

The number of unemployed youth worldwide decreased gradually from 2010 to 2019, but then increased in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. As of 2025, there were an estimated 66.94 million unemployed youths between 15 and 24 years worldwide. Highest youth unemployment globally The countries with the highest rates of youth not in education, employment, or training (NEET) include Niger, Kiribati, Guyana, Somalia, and Afghanistan. While there is geographic diversity in this group, each of these countries is either low-income or low-middle income. Moreover, each has their own set of challenges contributing to high NEET rates. For example, in Afghanistan, this can be attributed to conflict and the 2021 Taliban takeover. In Kiribati and other Pacific Island nations, they face high levels of brain drain to larger economies such as Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Lowest youth unemployment globally On the contrary, countries with the lowest youth NEET rates include Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, Iceland, and Malta. Factors such as well-structured vocational training programs and affordable university education contribute to low NEET rates. However, these countries still face their own challenges. For example, one contributing factor to such low NEET rates in Japan is the overall shrinkage of the Japanese population, which is simultaneously aging. While unemployment remains low in the country, it faces the potential crisis of not having enough people to support the labor market.

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 average for 2024 based on 27 countries was 6.32 percent. The highest value was in Somalia: 18.86 percent and the lowest value was in Niger: 0.35 percent. The indicator is available from 1991 to 2024. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

The table shows the latest data for the unemployment rate available from the national authorities. Note that these numbers are updated daily. The table also shows the unemployment rate three months ago and one year ago. The unemployment rate is defined as the number of people who don't have a job and are actively look for one as percent of the labor force. The labor force includes the employed and the unemployed people. Note that these categories do not include the so-called discouraged workers. These are people who can work and want to work but are not actively looking as they believe that they cannot find a job. Hence, besides unemployment, it is also useful to look at employment in order to evaluate the health of the labor market. The unemployment rate includes three components: the structural unemployment that is generated as some sectors of the economy decline and others expand; the frictional unemployment that captures people who are between jobs for personal reasons; and the cyclical unemployment that is related to the business cycle. The more flexible the labor market in terms of hiring and firing and setting wages, the lower the first two components of the unemployment rate. If interested, you can read our brief article on unemployment.

Graph and download economic data for Youth Unemployment Rate for High Income Countries (SLUEM1524ZSHIC) from 1991 to 2024 about income, unemployment, and rate.

Graph and download economic data for Youth Unemployment Rate for Uzbekistan (SLUEM1524ZSUZB) from 1991 to 2024 about Uzbekistan, 15 to 24 years, unemployment, and rate.