Unemployment rate by country: the latest data
* indicates monthly or quarterly data series
The table shows the latest data for the unemployment rate available from the national authorities. Note that these numbers are updated daily. The table also shows the unemployment rate three months ago and one year ago.
The unemployment rate is defined as the number of people who don't have a job and are actively look for one as percent of the labor force. The labor force includes the employed and the unemployed people. Note that these categories do not include the so-called discouraged workers. These are people who can work and want to work but are not actively looking as they believe that they cannot find a job. Hence, besides unemployment, it is also useful to look at employment in order to evaluate the health of the labor market.
The unemployment rate includes three components: the structural unemployment that is generated as some sectors of the economy decline and others expand; the frictional unemployment that captures people who are between jobs for personal reasons; and the cyclical unemployment that is related to the business cycle. The more flexible the labor market in terms of hiring and firing and setting wages, the lower the first two components of the unemployment rate. If interested, you can read our brief article on unemployment.
Definition: The unemployment rate represents the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment.
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The unemployment rate is defined as the number of people who don't have a job and are actively look for one as percent of the labor force. The labor force includes the employed and the unemployed people. Note that these categories do not include the so-called discouraged workers. These are people who can work and want to work but are not actively looking as they believe that they cannot find a job. Hence, besides unemployment, it is also useful to look at employment in order to evaluate the health of the labor market.
The unemployment rate includes three components: the structural unemployment that is generated as some sectors of the economy decline and others expand; the frictional unemployment that captures people who are between jobs for personal reasons; and the cyclical unemployment that is related to the business cycle. The more flexible the labor market in terms of hiring and firing and setting wages, the lower the first two components of the unemployment rate. If interested, you can read our brief article on unemployment.
Definition: The unemployment rate represents the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment.
Download data / API
Countries
Latest data
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Latest
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Value 3
months ago
months ago
Value 12
months ago
months ago
