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 2019 was 5.40%, a 0% increase from 2018.
- World unemployment rate for 2018 was 5.39%, a 0.18% decline from 2017.
- World unemployment rate for 2017 was 5.57%, a 0.1% decline from 2016.
- World unemployment rate for 2016 was 5.67%, a 0.03% increase from 2015.
| World Unemployment Rate - Historical Data |
| Year |
Unemployment Rate (%) |
Annual Change |
| 2019 |
5.40% |
0.00% |
| 2018 |
5.39% |
-0.18% |
| 2017 |
5.57% |
-0.10% |
| 2016 |
5.67% |
0.03% |
| 2015 |
5.64% |
0.00% |
| 2014 |
5.63% |
-0.14% |
| 2013 |
5.77% |
0.00% |
| 2012 |
5.77% |
-0.03% |
| 2011 |
5.80% |
-0.12% |
| 2010 |
5.92% |
-0.08% |
| 2009 |
6.00% |
0.65% |
| 2008 |
5.35% |
0.00% |
| 2007 |
5.35% |
-0.24% |
| 2006 |
5.59% |
-0.31% |
| 2005 |
5.90% |
-0.11% |
| 2004 |
6.02% |
-0.17% |
| 2003 |
6.19% |
0.08% |
| 2002 |
6.11% |
0.26% |
| 2001 |
5.85% |
0.08% |
| 2000 |
5.77% |
-0.17% |
| 1999 |
5.94% |
0.11% |
| 1998 |
5.83% |
0.14% |
| 1997 |
5.69% |
0.03% |
| 1996 |
5.66% |
0.08% |
| 1995 |
5.58% |
0.15% |
| 1994 |
5.43% |
0.22% |
| 1993 |
5.21% |
0.31% |
| 1992 |
4.90% |
0.14% |
| 1991 |
4.76% |
0.14% |
