World Unemployment Rate 1991-2021
Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment.
- World unemployment rate for 2020 was 6.47%, a 1.1% increase from 2019.
- World unemployment rate for 2019 was 5.37%, a 0% increase from 2018.
- World unemployment rate for 2018 was 5.37%, a 0.18% decline from 2017.
- World unemployment rate for 2017 was 5.55%, a 0.11% decline from 2016.
| World Unemployment Rate - Historical Data |
| Year |
Unemployment Rate (%) |
Annual Change |
| 2020 |
6.47% |
1.10% |
| 2019 |
5.37% |
0.00% |
| 2018 |
5.37% |
-0.18% |
| 2017 |
5.55% |
-0.11% |
| 2016 |
5.66% |
0.03% |
| 2015 |
5.63% |
0.00% |
| 2014 |
5.63% |
-0.14% |
| 2013 |
5.77% |
-0.01% |
| 2012 |
5.78% |
0.00% |
| 2011 |
5.78% |
-0.14% |
| 2010 |
5.92% |
-0.09% |
| 2009 |
6.01% |
0.63% |
| 2008 |
5.38% |
0.01% |
| 2007 |
5.36% |
-0.24% |
| 2006 |
5.60% |
-0.31% |
| 2005 |
5.91% |
-0.12% |
| 2004 |
6.03% |
-0.17% |
| 2003 |
6.20% |
0.09% |
| 2002 |
6.11% |
0.24% |
| 2001 |
5.87% |
0.06% |
| 2000 |
5.80% |
-0.17% |
| 1999 |
5.98% |
0.12% |
| 1998 |
5.85% |
0.15% |
| 1997 |
5.70% |
0.01% |
| 1996 |
5.69% |
0.07% |
| 1995 |
5.63% |
0.14% |
| 1994 |
5.49% |
0.26% |
| 1993 |
5.23% |
0.29% |
| 1992 |
4.93% |
0.13% |
| 1991 |
4.80% |
0.13% |
