World Unemployment Rate 1991-2023

Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment.
  • World unemployment rate for 2022 was 5.77%, a 0.43% decline from 2021.
  • World unemployment rate for 2021 was 6.20%, a 0.7% decline from 2020.
  • World unemployment rate for 2020 was 6.90%, a 1.36% increase from 2019.
  • World unemployment rate for 2019 was 5.54%, a 0.16% decline from 2018.
Data Source: World Bank

MLA Citation:
Similar Country Ranking
Country Name Unemployment Rate (%)
Latin America & Caribbean 7.02%
South Asia 6.98%
Sub-Saharan Africa 6.75%
Euro Area 6.72%
European Union 6.09%
World 5.77%
OECD members 4.93%
East Asia & Pacific 4.09%
North America 3.79%
World Unemployment Rate - Historical Data
Year Unemployment Rate (%) Annual Change
2022 5.77% -0.43%
2021 6.20% -0.70%
2020 6.90% 1.36%
2019 5.54% -0.16%
2018 5.70% -0.17%
2017 5.87% -0.13%
2016 6.00% -0.01%
2015 6.01% 0.03%
2014 5.98% -0.13%
2013 6.12% -0.02%
2012 6.14% -0.05%
2011 6.19% -0.15%
2010 6.35% -0.11%
2009 6.46% 0.59%
2008 5.87% 0.02%
2007 5.85% -0.21%
2006 6.06% -0.27%
2005 6.34% -0.08%
2004 6.42% -0.13%
2003 6.54% 0.12%
2002 6.42% 0.24%
2001 6.18% 0.11%
2000 6.07% -0.16%
1999 6.23% 0.14%
1998 6.09% 0.17%
1997 5.92% 0.04%
1996 5.88% 0.10%
1995 5.78% 0.17%
1994 5.61% 0.26%
1993 5.35% 0.27%
1992 5.08% 0.15%
1991 4.94% 0.15%