Unemployment Rate by Country
Share of the labour force that is without work but available for and seeking employment. Latest values for 195 economies.
Among 192 countries, Sudan has the highest unemployment rate at 61.2% and Qatar the lowest at 0.1% (latest available readings).
Unemployment Rate by Region
Latest available reading (periods may differ by country). Choose a region or “All countries”.
Unemployment Rate — All Countries
Sorted by latest value. Click headers to re-sort.
| # | Country | Last | Previous | Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Sudan | 61.2% | 60.2% | 2025 |
| 2 | Eswatini | 34.2% | 34.6% | 2025 |
| 3 | South Africa | 32.4% | 32.3% | 2025 |
| 4 | Djibouti | 26.0% | 26.0% | 2025 |
| 5 | Botswana | 24.5% | 23.8% | 2025 |
| 6 | Palestine | 24.4% | 26.4% | 2022 |
| 7 | Gabon | 20.2% | 20.1% | 2025 |
| 8 | Republic of the Congo | 19.9% | 19.9% | 2025 |
| 9 | Namibia | 19.3% | 19.2% | 2025 |
| 10 | Somalia, Fed. Rep. | 18.9% | 18.9% | 2025 |
| 11 | Libya | 18.8% | 19.1% | 2025 |
| 12 | St Vincent and the Grenadines | 18.0% | 18.1% | 2025 |
| 13 | Yemen | 17.3% | 17.0% | 2025 |
| 14 | Jordan | 16.5% | 16.7% | 2025 |
| 15 | Lesotho | 16.3% | 16.3% | 2025 |
| 16 | Iraq | 15.5% | 15.3% | 2025 |
| 17 | Tunisia | 15.1% | 15.3% | 2025 |
| 18 | Haiti | 14.9% | 14.6% | 2025 |
| 19 | Angola | 14.1% | 14.0% | 2025 |
| 20 | Montenegro | 13.6% | 13.2% | 2025 |
| 21 | Syria | 13.6% | 13.4% | 2025 |
| 22 | Afghanistan | 13.4% | 13.7% | 2025 |
| 23 | Armenia | 12.9% | 12.4% | 2025 |
| 24 | South Sudan | 12.4% | 12.5% | 2023 |
| 25 | North Macedonia | 12.3% | 12.3% | 2025 |
| 26 | Georgia | 12.1% | 11.6% | 2025 |
| 27 | Guyana | 12.0% | 11.9% | 2025 |
| 28 | Cape Verde | 11.9% | 11.9% | 2025 |
| 29 | French Polynesia | 11.7% | 11.6% | 2025 |
| 30 | Algeria | 11.6% | 11.7% | 2025 |
| 31 | Ukraine | 11.6% | 13.1% | 2025 |
| 32 | US Virgin Islands | 11.4% | 11.4% | 2025 |
| 33 | Rwanda | 11.4% | 11.3% | 2025 |
| 34 | New Caledonia | 11.2% | 11.0% | 2025 |
| 35 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 11.0% | 10.7% | 2025 |
| 36 | Lebanon | 11.0% | 11.1% | 2023 |
| 37 | Albania | 10.9% | 10.7% | 2025 |
| 38 | Nepal | 10.5% | 10.5% | 2025 |
| 39 | Mauritania | 10.3% | 10.3% | 2025 |
| 40 | Spain | 10.0% | 10.0% | Aug 2026 |
| 41 | Finland | 9.9% | 10.5% | Aug 2026 |
| 42 | Colombia | 9.5% | 8.2% | Aug 2026 |
| 43 | St Lucia | 9.5% | 10.2% | 2025 |
| 44 | Chile | 9.4% | 9.3% | Jul 2026 |
| 45 | Zimbabwe | 9.3% | 9.4% | 2025 |
| 46 | Bahamas | 9.2% | 9.0% | 2025 |
| 47 | Sao Tome and Principe | 9.1% | 9.1% | 2025 |
| 48 | Morocco | 9.0% | 9.1% | 2025 |
| 49 | Sweden | 8.9% | 8.6% | Aug 2026 |
| 50 | Belize | 8.9% | 8.7% | 2025 |
| 51 | Panama | 8.4% | 8.5% | 2025 |
| 52 | Equatorial Guinea | 8.3% | 8.3% | 2025 |
| 53 | Iran | 8.3% | 8.1% | 2025 |
| 54 | France | 8.2% | 8.3% | Aug 2026 |
| 55 | Estonia | 8.0% | 7.9% | Aug 2026 |
| 56 | Suriname | 7.8% | 7.6% | 2025 |
| 57 | Turkey | 7.8% | 8.1% | Aug 2026 |
| 58 | Uruguay | 7.5% | 8.2% | 2025 |
| 59 | Greece | 7.4% | 7.9% | Aug 2026 |
| 60 | Latvia | 7.3% | 7.3% | Aug 2026 |
| 61 | Luxembourg | 7.3% | 7.1% | Aug 2026 |
| 62 | Argentina | 7.1% | 7.2% | 2025 |
| 63 | Serbia | 7.1% | 7.2% | 2025 |
| 64 | Tajikistan | 6.9% | 7.0% | 2025 |
| 65 | Costa Rica | 6.8% | 6.8% | Jul 2026 |
| 66 | Egypt | 6.8% | 6.8% | 2025 |
| 67 | Austria | 6.7% | 6.2% | Aug 2026 |
| 68 | Mozambique | 6.6% | 6.7% | 2025 |
| 69 | Barbados | 6.5% | 6.4% | 2025 |
| 70 | Gambia | 6.5% | 6.5% | 2025 |
| 71 | Canada | 6.5% | 6.4% | Sep 2026 |
| 72 | Euro Area | 6.4% | 6.4% | Aug 2026 |
| 73 | Romania | 6.4% | 6.4% | Aug 2026 |
| 74 | Central African Republic | 6.3% | 6.3% | 2025 |
| 75 | Italy | 6.2% | 6.0% | Aug 2026 |
| 76 | Channel Islands | 6.2% | 6.0% | 2025 |
| 77 | European Union | 6.1% | 6.1% | Aug 2026 |
| 78 | Lithuania | 6.1% | 6.2% | Aug 2026 |
| 79 | Puerto Rico (US) | 6.0% | 5.6% | 2025 |
| 80 | Eritrea | 6.0% | 5.9% | 2025 |
| 81 | Brazil | 6.0% | 6.8% | 2025 |
| 82 | Zambia | 5.9% | 5.9% | 2025 |
| 83 | Belgium | 5.9% | 6.0% | Aug 2026 |
| 84 | Denmark | 5.9% | 6.7% | Aug 2026 |
| 85 | Iceland | 5.8% | 5.8% | Aug 2026 |
| 86 | Portugal | 5.7% | 5.7% | Aug 2026 |
| 87 | Slovakia | 5.7% | 5.7% | Aug 2026 |
| 88 | Mauritius | 5.6% | 5.5% | 2025 |
| 89 | Guam | 5.6% | 5.3% | 2025 |
| 90 | Azerbaijan | 5.5% | 5.6% | 2025 |
| 91 | Kenya | 5.4% | 5.5% | 2025 |
| 92 | Pakistan | 5.4% | 5.5% | 2025 |
| 93 | Fiji | 5.3% | 5.4% | 2025 |
| 94 | Venezuela | 5.3% | 5.3% | 2025 |
| 95 | Brunei | 5.3% | 5.2% | 2025 |
| 96 | Mongolia | 5.2% | 5.2% | 2025 |
| 97 | Guinea | 5.2% | 5.1% | 2025 |
| 98 | Peru | 5.1% | 5.2% | 2025 |
| 99 | Dominican Republic | 5.1% | 5.3% | 2025 |
| 100 | New Zealand | 5.1% | 4.7% | 2025 |
| 101 | Vanuatu | 5.1% | 5.0% | 2025 |
| 102 | Malawi | 5.1% | 5.1% | 2025 |
| 103 | Nicaragua | 5.0% | 5.0% | 2025 |
| 104 | India | 5.0% | 5.0% | Sep 2026 |
| 105 | Ireland | 5.0% | 5.0% | Aug 2026 |
| 106 | Samoa | 5.0% | 4.9% | 2025 |
| 107 | Cyprus | 4.9% | 4.9% | 2025 |
| 108 | Honduras | 4.9% | 4.9% | 2025 |
| 109 | United Kingdom | 4.9% | 4.9% | Jun 2026 |
| 110 | Switzerland | 4.9% | 4.3% | 2025 |
| 111 | Paraguay | 4.8% | 5.7% | 2025 |
| 112 | 🌐World | 4.8% | 4.8% | 2025 |
| 113 | Kazakhstan | 4.8% | 4.8% | 2025 |
| 114 | Australia | 4.7% | 4.7% | Sep 2026 |
| 115 | Hungary | 4.7% | 4.5% | Aug 2026 |
| 116 | Uzbekistan | 4.6% | 4.4% | 2025 |
| 117 | China | 4.6% | 4.6% | 2025 |
| 118 | Maldives | 4.5% | 4.3% | 2025 |
| 119 | Norway | 4.5% | 4.2% | Aug 2026 |
| 120 | San Marino | 4.5% | 4.4% | 2025 |
| 121 | DR Congo | 4.4% | 4.4% | 2025 |
| 122 | Croatia | 4.3% | 4.3% | Aug 2026 |
| 123 | Turkmenistan | 4.3% | 4.0% | 2025 |
| 124 | United States | 4.2% | 4.1% | Sep 2026 |
| 125 | Sri Lanka | 4.0% | 4.2% | 2025 |
| 126 | Germany | 4.0% | 4.0% | Aug 2026 |
| 127 | Netherlands | 4.0% | 4.0% | Aug 2026 |
| 128 | Aruba | 4.0% | 4.3% | 2025 |
| 129 | Comoros | 3.8% | 3.8% | 2025 |
| 130 | Bangladesh | 3.8% | 3.6% | 2025 |
| 131 | Malaysia | 3.8% | 3.8% | 2025 |
| 132 | Cameroon | 3.6% | 3.6% | 2025 |
| 133 | North Korea | 3.5% | 3.5% | 2025 |
| 134 | Kyrgyzstan | 3.5% | 3.5% | 2025 |
| 135 | Bulgaria | 3.5% | 3.5% | Aug 2026 |
| 136 | Burkina Faso | 3.5% | 3.4% | 2025 |
| 137 | Poland | 3.4% | 3.4% | Aug 2026 |
| 138 | Slovenia | 3.4% | 3.5% | Aug 2026 |
| 139 | Belarus | 3.4% | 3.5% | 2025 |
| 140 | Trinidad and Tobago | 3.3% | 3.3% | 2025 |
| 141 | Ethiopia | 3.3% | 3.4% | 2025 |
| 142 | Ecuador | 3.3% | 3.5% | 2025 |
| 143 | El Salvador | 3.3% | 3.3% | 2025 |
| 144 | Jamaica | 3.3% | 3.2% | 2025 |
| 145 | Oman | 3.3% | 3.2% | 2025 |
| 146 | Indonesia | 3.2% | 3.3% | 2025 |
| 147 | Bhutan | 3.2% | 3.3% | 2025 |
| 148 | Czech Republic | 3.2% | 3.3% | Aug 2026 |
| 149 | Sierra Leone | 3.2% | 3.1% | 2025 |
| 150 | Nigeria | 3.1% | 3.0% | 2025 |
| 151 | Myanmar | 3.0% | 2.9% | 2025 |
| 152 | Madagascar | 3.0% | 3.1% | 2025 |
| 153 | Saudi Arabia | 3.0% | 3.5% | 2025 |
| 154 | Ghana | 3.0% | 2.8% | 2025 |
| 155 | Bolivia | 3.0% | 3.3% | 2025 |
| 156 | Malta | 2.9% | 3.1% | 2025 |
| 157 | Liberia | 2.9% | 2.9% | 2025 |
| 158 | Mali | 2.8% | 2.9% | 2025 |
| 159 | Israel | 2.8% | 3.1% | Aug 2026 |
| 160 | Singapore | 2.8% | 2.7% | 2025 |
| 161 | Hong Kong | 2.8% | 3.0% | 2025 |
| 162 | Mexico | 2.7% | 2.7% | Aug 2026 |
| 163 | Uganda | 2.7% | 2.7% | 2025 |
| 164 | Senegal | 2.7% | 2.8% | 2025 |
| 165 | South Korea | 2.7% | 2.8% | Aug 2026 |
| 166 | Guinea-Bissau | 2.7% | 2.6% | 2025 |
| 167 | Guatemala | 2.6% | 2.6% | 2025 |
| 168 | Seychelles | 2.6% | 2.6% | 2025 |
| 169 | Papua New Guinea | 2.6% | 2.6% | 2025 |
| 170 | Japan | 2.5% | 2.4% | Aug 2026 |
| 171 | Macao | 2.3% | 2.3% | 2025 |
| 172 | Ivory Coast | 2.3% | 2.3% | 2025 |
| 173 | Philippines | 2.2% | 2.2% | 2025 |
| 174 | Kuwait | 2.2% | 2.2% | 2025 |
| 175 | United Arab Emirates | 2.2% | 2.2% | 2025 |
| 176 | Russia | 2.1% | 2.4% | 2025 |
| 177 | Tonga | 2.0% | 2.0% | 2025 |
| 178 | Liechtenstein | 2.0% | 1.6% | 2025 |
| 179 | Togo | 2.0% | 1.9% | 2025 |
| 180 | Cuba | 1.7% | 1.8% | 2025 |
| 181 | Timor-Leste | 1.6% | 1.5% | 2025 |
| 182 | Benin | 1.6% | 1.6% | 2025 |
| 183 | Tanzania | 1.6% | 1.6% | 2025 |
| 184 | Vietnam | 1.5% | 1.6% | 2025 |
| 185 | Moldova | 1.5% | 1.4% | 2025 |
| 186 | Solomon Islands | 1.4% | 1.4% | 2025 |
| 187 | Andorra | 1.3% | 1.5% | 2025 |
| 188 | Laos | 1.2% | 1.2% | 2025 |
| 189 | Bahrain | 1.1% | 1.1% | 2025 |
| 190 | Chad | 1.1% | 1.1% | 2025 |
| 191 | Burundi | 0.9% | 0.9% | 2025 |
| 192 | Thailand | 0.8% | 0.8% | 2025 |
| 193 | Niger | 0.4% | 0.4% | 2025 |
| 194 | Cambodia | 0.3% | 0.3% | 2025 |
| 195 | Qatar | 0.1% | 0.1% | 2025 |
Unemployment Rate around the world — in simple words
Overview
Unemployment Rate is available for 192 economies with recent data. The median value is 5.1% and the simple average is 7.1%.
Highest: Sudan (61.2%), Eswatini (34.2%), South Africa (32.4%), Djibouti (26.0%), Botswana (24.5%).
Lowest: Qatar (0.1%), Cambodia (0.3%), Niger (0.4%), Thailand (0.8%), Burundi (0.9%).
Major economies
Among the 19 major economies tracked here, South Africa (32.4%) has the highest reading and Japan (2.5%) the lowest. Their median is 4.7%.
Unemployment Rate — Regional Medians
Median of the latest readings of countries in each World Bank region. The median is the middle value — half the countries are above it and half below.
| Region | Countries | Median |
|---|---|---|
| East Asia & Pacific | 29 | 3.0% |
| Europe & Central Asia | 52 | 5.8% |
| Latin America & Caribbean | 32 | 6.0% |
| Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan | 23 | 9.0% |
| North America | 2 | 5.4% |
| South Asia | 6 | 4.3% |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | 48 | 5.3% |
Understanding Unemployment Rate — a simple guide
What it measures
The share of the labour force that is without work but available for and actively seeking employment.
How it is calculated
Unemployment rate = number of unemployed people ÷ labour force × 100. The labour force includes everyone who is working or actively looking for work. People who are not looking for work (students, retirees) are not counted.
If 50 lakh people are looking for work out of a labour force of 10 crore, the unemployment rate is 5%.
A high or rising rate means more people cannot find jobs, which reduces household income and spending.
A low rate means most people who want a job have one. Very low unemployment can push wages and inflation higher.
Why it matters for the economy and markets
Unemployment reflects the health of the labour market, which drives household income and consumer spending. Central banks with employment mandates (such as the US Federal Reserve) watch it closely.
How to read it
Definitions differ by country; World Bank and IMF figures use harmonised ILO-based estimates for comparability. A low rate combined with rising wages can indicate a tight labour market.
What to look at alongside it
Labour force participation, wage growth, GDP growth and youth unemployment.
Key terms
- Labour force
- People who are employed plus those actively seeking work.
- ILO definition
- The International Labour Organization standard used to make figures comparable across countries.
- Participation rate
- Share of the working-age population in the labour force.
How to use the chart
Use the 5Y / 10Y / 25Y / Max buttons to change the time range, or drag the slider under the chart. Hover (or tap) on the line to see the exact value for any period. Dashed lines and hatched bars are IMF projections, not actual data. The “Download CSV” button gives you the full data series.
Frequently asked questions
What does unemployment rate measure?
Which country has the highest unemployment rate?
Data are sourced from official international organisations (IMF, World Bank, BIS) and national authorities, and are shown for educational and informational purposes only. They are not investment advice and no recommendation is made. Figures may be revised by the source; IMF figures for the current and future years are projections. This page was last updated on Saturday, October 17, 2026.