While headlines tout low global unemployment, the staggering reality is that a youth in South Africa faces a nearly 60% chance of being out of work, a stark contrast to the 2.6% rate enjoyed in Japan, revealing a world of deeply unequal opportunity.
Key Takeaways
- The U.S. unemployment rate was 3.7% in February 2024, seasonally adjusted
- The unemployment rate in the Euro Area stood at 6.5% in March 2024
- Spain's unemployment rate was 11.7% in March 2024
- Germany's unemployment rate was 5.9% in March 2024
- Global unemployment rate projected at 5.0% for 2024 by ILO
- Youth unemployment rate (15-24) in South Africa was 59.7% in Q4 2023
- U.S. youth unemployment rate (16-24) was 12.6% in February 2024
- U.S. teen unemployment (16-19) was 13.4% in February 2024
- U.S. unemployment rate for Black or African American workers was 5.6% in February 2024
- U.S. unemployment rate for Hispanics was 5.0% in February 2024
- U.S. female unemployment rate was 3.6% in February 2024
- India's urban unemployment rate was 6.6% in 2023-24
- Japan's unemployment rate was 2.6% in March 2024
- China's urban unemployment rate was 5.2% in March 2024
- U.S. long-term unemployment rate (27 weeks+) was 1.2 million persons in February 2024
Global unemployment shows sharp disparities across regions and demographic groups.
Africa
1Nigeria's unemployment rate was 5.3% in Q4 2023 (new methodology)
Verified2Egypt's unemployment rate was 6.2% in Q1 2024
Verified3Morocco's unemployment rate was 13.3% in Q4 2023
Verified4Algeria's unemployment rate was 12.7% in 2023
Directional5Ghana unemployment rate was 13.4% in 2022
Single sourceAfrica Interpretation
While Nigeria's fresh statistical paint job looks impressively tidy, the region's unemployment picture is still a gallery of grim portraits where over a tenth of Morocco, Algeria, and Ghana's workforces are unfortunately starring as "the actively available."
Asia
1India's urban unemployment rate was 6.6% in 2023-24
Verified2Japan's unemployment rate was 2.6% in March 2024
Verified3China's urban unemployment rate was 5.2% in March 2024
Verified4South Korea's unemployment rate was 2.7% in March 2024
Directional5Philippines unemployment rate was 3.9% in March 2024
Single source6Indonesia's unemployment rate was 4.8% in February 2024
Verified7Thailand's unemployment rate was 0.9% in January 2024
Verified8Vietnam's unemployment rate was 2.2% in Q1 2024
Verified9Malaysia's unemployment rate was 3.3% in March 2024
Directional10Singapore's unemployment rate was 1.9% in March 2024
Single source11Taiwan's unemployment rate was 3.4% in March 2024
Verified12Pakistan urban unemployment was 6.3% in 2020-21
Verified13Bangladesh unemployment rate was 4.7% in 2023
Verified14Sri Lanka unemployment rate was 4.3% in Q1 2024
DirectionalAsia Interpretation
While East Asia seems to have mastered the art of keeping people busy, with Thailand's enviable 0.9% rate looking like a statistical magic trick, the South Asian giants are still wrestling with the more stubborn challenge of creating enough quality jobs for their vast urban populations.
Demographic
1U.S. unemployment rate for Black or African American workers was 5.6% in February 2024
Verified2U.S. unemployment rate for Hispanics was 5.0% in February 2024
Verified3U.S. female unemployment rate was 3.6% in February 2024
Verified4U.S. male unemployment rate was 3.8% in February 2024
Directional5U.S. unemployment rate for 25+ years was 3.3% in February 2024
Single source6U.S. Asian unemployment rate was 3.0% in February 2024
Verified7U.S. White unemployment rate was 3.4% in February 2024
Verified8U.S. Native Hawaiian unemployment was 4.2% in 2023 annual
Verified9U.S. unemployment rate for veterans was 3.1% in 2023 annual avg
Directional10U.S. disability unemployment rate was 7.5% in 2023
Single source11U.S. older workers (55+) unemployment was 3.1% in Feb 2024
Verified12U.S. Native American unemployment was 6.6% in 2023
Verified13U.S. college grad unemployment was 2.1% in Feb 2024
Verified14U.S. high school grad no college unemployment 5.5% Feb 2024
DirectionalDemographic Interpretation
The job market's uneven recovery feels like a game of musical chairs where some groups showed up to find a few of their seats already missing.
Europe
1The unemployment rate in the Euro Area stood at 6.5% in March 2024
Verified2Spain's unemployment rate was 11.7% in March 2024
Verified3Germany's unemployment rate was 5.9% in March 2024
Verified4France's unemployment rate (ILO) was 7.4% in Q4 2023
Directional5Italy's unemployment rate was 7.1% in March 2024
Single source6UK's unemployment rate was 4.2% in Feb-Apr 2024
Verified7Greece's unemployment rate dropped to 10.0% in March 2024
Verified8Sweden's unemployment rate was 8.2% in March 2024
Verified9Poland's unemployment rate was 2.9% in March 2024
Directional10Netherlands unemployment rate was 3.7% in March 2024
Single source11Turkey's unemployment rate was 8.0% in March 2024
Verified12Belgium's unemployment rate was 5.8% in March 2024
Verified13Portugal's unemployment rate was 6.5% in March 2024
Verified14Austria's unemployment rate was 5.3% in March 2024
Directional15Finland's unemployment rate was 8.5% in March 2024
Single source16Denmark's unemployment rate was 4.9% in March 2024
Verified17Ireland's unemployment rate was 4.3% in March 2024
Verified18Norway's unemployment rate was 3.8% in March 2024
Verified19Switzerland's unemployment rate was 2.3% in March 2024
Directional20Czech Republic unemployment rate was 2.4% in March 2024
Single source21Hungary's unemployment rate was 4.2% in March 2024
Verified22Slovakia's unemployment rate was 5.6% in March 2024
Verified23Romania's unemployment rate was 5.7% in March 2024
Verified24Bulgaria's unemployment rate was 4.0% in March 2024
Directional25Lithuania's unemployment rate was 6.5% in March 2024
Single source26Latvia's unemployment rate was 6.8% in March 2024
Verified27Estonia's unemployment rate was 6.9% in March 2024
Verified28Cyprus unemployment rate was 6.2% in March 2024
Verified29Malta's unemployment rate was 3.1% in March 2024
Directional30Slovenia's unemployment rate was 3.7% in March 2024
Single source31Croatia's unemployment rate was 5.9% in March 2024
Verified32Luxembourg unemployment 5.4% March 2024
Verified33Iceland unemployment 3.8% March 2024
VerifiedEurope Interpretation
Europe presents a vibrant, if not entirely harmonious, orchestra of labor markets, where Switzerland's precision beats a steady 2.3%, Spain's flamenco of unemployment flares at 11.7%, and Poland's remarkable 2.9% keeps the tempo briskly optimistic.
Global
1Global unemployment rate projected at 5.0% for 2024 by ILO
VerifiedGlobal Interpretation
Behind this seemingly modest number lies a quiet, global sigh of 165 million people caught between the lines of economic recovery and the relentless grind of progress.
Latin America
1Brazil's unemployment rate was 7.7% in March 2024
Verified2Mexico's unemployment rate was 2.5% in March 2024
Verified3Argentina's unemployment rate was 7.7% in Q4 2023
Verified4Chile's unemployment rate was 8.2% in March 2024
Directional5Peru's unemployment rate was 6.5% in March 2024
Single source6Colombia's unemployment rate was 10.2% in March 2024
VerifiedLatin America Interpretation
While Argentina and Brazil are tied for second in the regional jobless pageant, Colombia is wearing the unemployment crown, Chile is nervously waiting backstage, Peru is comfortably in the middle of the pack, and Mexico is already celebrating its victory in the green room.
Long-term
1U.S. long-term unemployment rate (27 weeks+) was 1.2 million persons in February 2024
Verified2U.S. long-term unemployed as percent of total was 20.5% in February 2024
Verified3U.S. long-term unemployment for women was 0.6 million in Feb 2024
Verified4U.S. long-term unemployment in construction was 15.2% of unemployed in 2023
Directional5U.S. long-term unemployment rate for men was 1.0% in 2023
Single sourceLong-term Interpretation
While the headline unemployment figure may offer a veneer of calm, the fact that over a million Americans have been out of work for more than half a year—and a stubborn one in five of all jobless people are in that dire boat—reveals an economy with a deep, structural toothache that mere aspirin won't cure.
Middle East
1UAE unemployment rate was 2.5% in 2023
VerifiedMiddle East Interpretation
Looks like the UAE has turned unemployment into a unicorn: statistically real, but rarely seen in the wild.
North America
1Canada's unemployment rate was 6.1% in March 2024
VerifiedNorth America Interpretation
While it's tempting to crack a joke about 6.1% of the population mastering the art of the extended coffee break, this number quietly underscores a persistent tightness in the job market that continues to pinch household budgets.
Oceania
1Australia's unemployment rate was 4.1% in March 2024
Verified2New Zealand unemployment rate was 4.3% in Q1 2024
VerifiedOceania Interpretation
While Australia holds its job market steady like a responsible adult at 4.1%, New Zealand, just across the ditch, is slightly less tidy at 4.3%, proving that even at the party of low unemployment, someone always spills a little.
Regional
1U.S. unemployment rate in California was 5.3% in February 2024
Verified2U.S. unemployment in New York was 4.1% in February 2024
Verified3U.S. unemployment in Texas was 4.0% in February 2024
Verified4U.S. unemployment in Florida was 3.3% in February 2024
Directional5U.S. unemployment in Illinois was 4.5% in February 2024
Single source6U.S. unemployment in Pennsylvania was 3.7% in Feb 2024
VerifiedRegional Interpretation
The Sunshine State isn't just a nickname, it's an economic boast, while California's laid-back vibe now includes a few more involuntary participants.
Sectoral
1U.S. manufacturing unemployment 4.1% Feb 2024
VerifiedSectoral Interpretation
While a 4.1% manufacturing unemployment rate seems manageable on paper, it hints at a troubling squeeze where open factory jobs can't find the right hands, and some skilled hands can't find the right jobs.
US National
1The U.S. unemployment rate was 3.7% in February 2024, seasonally adjusted
VerifiedUS National Interpretation
The unemployment rate sits at a cozy 3.7%, meaning the economy is giving most job seekers a fairly warm welcome, but it’s still keeping a few résumés out in the cold.
Youth
1Youth unemployment rate (15-24) in South Africa was 59.7% in Q4 2023
Verified2U.S. youth unemployment rate (16-24) was 12.6% in February 2024
Verified3U.S. teen unemployment (16-19) was 13.4% in February 2024
Verified4U.S. Black youth unemployment was 17.0% in 2023 annual avg
Directional5U.S. Hispanic youth unemployment was 14.8% in 2023
Single source6U.S. youth unemployment in California was 14.2% in 2023
Verified7Kenya's youth unemployment was 67% in 2023
Verified8Ethiopia youth unemployment 27.1% in 2023
VerifiedYouth Interpretation
A startling glance at global youth unemployment reveals a grim lottery where being born in South Africa or Kenya offers odds akin to a coin flip on finding work, while even the most disadvantaged American youth face prospects that would be considered a national emergency elsewhere.
Sources & References
- Reference 1BLSbls.govVisit source
- Reference 2ECec.europa.euVisit source
- Reference 3ILOSTATilostat.ilo.orgVisit source
- Reference 4STATSSAstatssa.gov.zaVisit source
- Reference 5MOSPImospi.gov.inVisit source
- Reference 6ABSabs.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 7DESTATISdestatis.deVisit source
- Reference 8IBGEibge.gov.brVisit source
- Reference 9STATstat.go.jpVisit source
- Reference 10INSEEinsee.frVisit source
- Reference 11STATSstats.gov.cnVisit source
- Reference 12INEGIinegi.org.mxVisit source
- Reference 13ONSons.gov.ukVisit source
- Reference 14KOSTATkostat.go.krVisit source
- Reference 15NIGERIANSTATnigerianstat.gov.ngVisit source
- Reference 16PSApsa.gov.phVisit source
- Reference 17STATstat.gov.plVisit source
- Reference 18STATCANwww150.statcan.gc.caVisit source
- Reference 19DATAdata.tuik.gov.trVisit source
- Reference 20BPSbps.go.idVisit source
- Reference 21INDECindec.gob.arVisit source
- Reference 22STATISTIKstatistik.atVisit source
- Reference 23NSOnso.go.thVisit source
- Reference 24CAPMAScapmas.gov.egVisit source
- Reference 25GSOgso.gov.vnVisit source
- Reference 26INEine.clVisit source
- Reference 27SSBssb.noVisit source
- Reference 28DOSMdosm.gov.myVisit source
- Reference 29BFSbfs.admin.chVisit source
- Reference 30INEIinei.gob.peVisit source
- Reference 31LABORMARKETINFOlabormarketinfo.edd.ca.govVisit source
- Reference 32SINGSTATsingstat.gov.sgVisit source
- Reference 33KSHksh.huVisit source
- Reference 34DANEdane.gov.coVisit source
- Reference 35ENGeng.stat.gov.twVisit source
- Reference 36HCPhcp.maVisit source
- Reference 37STATSstats.govt.nzVisit source
- Reference 38PBSpbs.gov.pkVisit source
- Reference 39KNBSknbs.or.keVisit source
- Reference 40BBSbbs.portal.gov.bdVisit source
- Reference 41ONSons.dzVisit source
- Reference 42STATISTICSstatistics.gov.lkVisit source
- Reference 43STATSGHANAstatsghana.gov.ghVisit source
- Reference 44FCSCfcsc.gov.aeVisit source
- Reference 45CSAcsa.gov.etVisit source