World unemployment rate for 2024 was 4.89%, a 0.02% decline from 2023.

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<li>World unemployment rate for 2023 was <strong>4.92%</strong>, a <strong>0.34% decline</strong> from 2022.</li>
<li>World unemployment rate for 2022 was <strong>5.26%</strong>, a <strong>0.8% decline</strong> from 2021.</li>
<li>World unemployment rate for 2021 was <strong>6.06%</strong>, a <strong>0.54% decline</strong> from 2020.</li>
</ul>Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment.

In 2024, the unemployment rate in the World remained nearly unchanged at around 4.89 percent. But still, the unemployment rate reached its lowest value of the observation period in 2024. The unemployment rate refers to the share of the economically active population currently without work but in search of employment. The unemployment rate does not include economically inactive persons such as the long-term unemployed, children, or retirees.

The statistic shows the unemployment rate in selected world regions between 2015 and 2023. In 2023, the unemployment rate in the Arab World was estimated to have been at 9.88 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.

World youth unemployment rate for 2024 was 13.57%, a 0.01% increase from 2023.

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<li>World youth unemployment rate for 2023 was <strong>13.56%</strong>, a <strong>0.64% decline</strong> from 2022.</li>
<li>World youth unemployment rate for 2022 was <strong>14.20%</strong>, a <strong>1.48% decline</strong> from 2021.</li>
<li>World youth unemployment rate for 2021 was <strong>15.68%</strong>, a <strong>1.44% decline</strong> from 2020.</li>
</ul>Youth unemployment refers to the share of the labor force ages 15-24 without work but available for and seeking employment.

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.

Between 2019 and 2020, the number of unemployed people worldwide increased from 191.93 million to 235.21 million, the biggest annual increase in unemployment in this provided time period. In 2022, the number of people unemployed decreased down to 205.25 million.

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.

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.

Graph and download economic data for Youth Unemployment Rate for Developing Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SLUEM1524ZSSSA) from 1991 to 2024 about Sub-Saharan Africa, unemployment, and 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.

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.

The average for 2023 based on 178 countries was 6.42 percent. The highest value was in Swaziland: 36.1 percent and the lowest value was in Qatar: 0.08 percent. The indicator is available from 1991 to 2023. 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.

SE: Unemployment with Basic Education: Male: % of Male Labour Force data was reported at 18.528 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 18.841 % for 2016. SE: Unemployment with Basic Education: Male: % of Male Labour Force data is updated yearly, averaging 13.013 % from Dec 1998 (Median) to 2017, with 20 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 19.084 % in 2014 and a record low of 7.814 % in 2001. SE: Unemployment with Basic Education: Male: % of Male Labour Force data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Sweden – Table SE.World Bank.WDI: Employment and Unemployment. The percentage of the labor force with a basic level of education who are unemployed. Basic education comprises primary education or lower secondary education according to the International Standard Classification of Education 2011 (ISCED 2011).; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in September 2018.; Weighted average;

TD: Unemployment: National Estimate: Youth Female: % of Female Labour Force Aged 15-24 data was reported at 0.739 % in 2018. TD: Unemployment: National Estimate: Youth Female: % of Female Labour Force Aged 15-24 data is updated yearly, averaging 0.739 % from Dec 2018 (Median) to 2018, with 1 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.739 % in 2018 and a record low of 0.739 % in 2018. TD: Unemployment: National Estimate: Youth Female: % of Female Labour Force Aged 15-24 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Chad – Table TD.World Bank.WDI: Employment and Unemployment. Youth unemployment refers to the share of the labor force ages 15-24 without work but available for and seeking employment. Definitions of labor force and unemployment differ by country.;International Labour Organization. “Labour Force Statistics database (LFS)” ILOSTAT. Accessed January 07, 2025. https://ilostat.ilo.org/data/.;Weighted average;The series for ILO estimates is also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.

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

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.

Unemployment Rate: Female: Age 25 to 54 data was reported at 3.600 % in Jun 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 2.900 % for May 2018. Unemployment Rate: Female: Age 25 to 54 data is updated monthly, averaging 4.800 % from Jan 1948 (Median) to Jun 2018, with 846 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 9.000 % in Jan 1983 and a record low of 2.100 % in Jun 1953. Unemployment Rate: Female: Age 25 to 54 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.G018: Current Population Survey: Unemployment Rate.

SE: Employment To Population Ratio: Modeled ILO Estimate: Aged 15-24: Female data was reported at 46.696 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 46.791 % for 2016. SE: Employment To Population Ratio: Modeled ILO Estimate: Aged 15-24: Female data is updated yearly, averaging 42.564 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 59.795 % in 1991 and a record low of 37.436 % in 2004. SE: Employment To Population Ratio: Modeled ILO Estimate: Aged 15-24: Female data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Sweden – Table SE.World Bank.WDI: Employment and Unemployment. Employment to population ratio is the proportion of a country's population that is employed. Employment is defined as persons of working age who, during a short reference period, were engaged in any activity to produce goods or provide services for pay or profit, whether at work during the reference period (i.e. who worked in a job for at least one hour) or not at work due to temporary absence from a job, or to working-time arrangements. Ages 15-24 are generally considered the youth population.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in September 2018.; Weighted average; Data up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections. National estimates are also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.