How Unemployment Rates Compare Around the World in 2026
Key Takeaways
- Sudan and South Africa have the highest unemployment rates in the dataset, at 59.5% and 33.2%, respectively.
- Finland and Spain are among Europe’s hardest-hit labor markets, with unemployment rates of 10.2% and 9.8%.
- The U.S. unemployment rate is projected at 4.2%, compared with 6.5% in Canada and 8.4% in France.
From major economies to emerging markets, unemployment rates reveal striking differences in labor market conditions around the world.
While some countries are projected to maintain relatively low jobless rates in 2026, others face much deeper employment challenges, reflecting differences in economic growth, demographics, and labor market conditions.
This map visualizes projected unemployment rates across 103 countries in 2026, based on the IMF’s October 2026 World Economic Outlook.
Where Finding a Job Is Getting Harder
Sudan has the highest projected unemployment rate in the dataset at 59.5%, reflecting the devastating economic impact of prolonged conflict. South Africa follows at 33.2%, where persistent structural challenges have left millions of workers without jobs.
High unemployment also extends to wealthier economies. In Europe, several countries face elevated jobless rates despite their advanced economies.
| Rank | Country | Unemployment Rate (2026P) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sudan | 59.5% |
| 2 | South Africa | 33.2% |
| 3 | Georgia | 13.9% |
| 4 | Armenia | 12.8% |
| 5 | Morocco | 12.2% |
| 6 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 12.2% |
| 7 | North Macedonia | 11.5% |
| 8 | Ukraine | 10.2% |
| 9 | Finland | 10.2% |
| 10 | Spain | 9.8% |
| 11 | Chile | 9.5% |
| 12 | Bahamas | 9.3% |
| 13 | Iran | 9.2% |
| 14 | Panama | 9.1% |
| 15 | Colombia | 9.0% |
| 16 | Suriname | 9.0% |
| 17 | Albania | 8.7% |
| 18 | Serbia | 8.6% |
| 19 | Sweden | 8.5% |
| 20 | Cabo Verde | 8.5% |
| 21 | France | 8.4% |
| 22 | Türkiye | 8.2% |
| 23 | Greece | 8.0% |
| 24 | Argentina | 7.6% |
| 25 | Uruguay | 7.5% |
| 26 | Egypt | 7.3% |
| 27 | Barbados | 7.3% |
| 28 | Honduras | 7.1% |
| 29 | Costa Rica | 7.0% |
| 30 | Pakistan | 6.9% |
| 31 | Estonia | 6.8% |
| 32 | Lithuania | 6.8% |
| 33 | Latvia | 6.7% |
| 34 | Canada | 6.5% |
| 35 | Romania | 6.5% |
| 36 | Luxembourg | 6.4% |
| 37 | Brazil | 6.2% |
| 38 | Belgium | 6.2% |
| 39 | Mauritius | 6.0% |
| 40 | Portugal | 5.9% |
| 41 | Slovakia | 5.8% |
| 42 | Austria | 5.7% |
| 43 | Italy | 5.6% |
| 44 | New Zealand | 5.4% |
| 45 | Puerto Rico | 5.4% |
| 46 | Philippines | 5.4% |
| 47 | Dominican Republic | 5.3% |
| 48 | United Kingdom | 5.3% |
| 49 | Azerbaijan | 5.3% |
| 50 | China | 5.1% |
| 51 | India | 5.0% |
| 52 | Fiji | 5.0% |
| 53 | Mongolia | 5.0% |
| 54 | Peru | 5.0% |
| 55 | Ireland | 5.0% |
| 56 | Iceland | 4.8% |
| 57 | Brunei Darussalam | 4.7% |
| 58 | Paraguay | 4.7% |
| 59 | Indonesia | 4.7% |
| 60 | Norway | 4.6% |
| 61 | Kazakhstan | 4.6% |
| 62 | Hungary | 4.5% |
| 63 | Croatia | 4.5% |
| 64 | Bolivia | 4.5% |
| 65 | San Marino | 4.4% |
| 66 | Australia | 4.4% |
| 67 | Trinidad and Tobago | 4.4% |
| 68 | El Salvador | 4.3% |
| 69 | Uzbekistan | 4.3% |
| 70 | U.S. | 4.2% |
| 71 | Netherlands | 4.0% |
| 72 | Kyrgyz Republic | 4.0% |
| 73 | Cyprus | 4.0% |
| 74 | Germany | 4.0% |
| 75 | Aruba | 3.9% |
| 76 | Slovenia | 3.9% |
| 77 | Sri Lanka | 3.9% |
| 78 | Hong Kong SAR | 3.8% |
| 79 | Moldova | 3.8% |
| 80 | Bulgaria | 3.4% |
| 81 | Taiwan | 3.4% |
| 82 | Poland | 3.2% |
| 83 | Ecuador | 3.1% |
| 84 | Nicaragua | 3.1% |
| 85 | Israel | 3.1% |
| 86 | Switzerland | 3.0% |
| 87 | Czechia | 3.0% |
| 88 | Denmark | 3.0% |
| 89 | Malta | 3.0% |
| 90 | Malaysia | 3.0% |
| 91 | South Korea | 2.8% |
| 92 | Mexico | 2.8% |
| 93 | Seychelles | 2.6% |
| 94 | Japan | 2.5% |
| 95 | Belarus | 2.5% |
| 96 | Liechtenstein | 2.3% |
| 97 | Russia | 2.2% |
| 98 | Vietnam | 2.1% |
| 99 | Singapore | 2.1% |
| 100 | Belize | 2.0% |
| 101 | Macao | 1.7% |
| 102 | Andorra | 1.5% |
| 103 | Thailand | 1.0% |
Europe’s labor markets show some of the sharpest contrasts among advanced economies. Finland’s projected unemployment rate of 10.2% is more than triple Poland’s 3.2%, with weak domestic demand and a prolonged construction downturn weighing on hiring.
Meanwhile, France’s projected rate of 8.4% is more than double Germany’s 4.0%, despite ongoing weakness in German manufacturing.
In North America, the U.S. faces a different challenge. Its low-hire, low-fire labor market means that even as layoffs remain subdued, finding a new job has become increasingly difficult.
The Hidden Jobs Crisis in Asia
Low headline unemployment rates don’t necessarily mean jobs are easy to find. China and India are projected to have unemployment rates of 5.1% and 5.0%, respectively, yet young workers face substantial competition for employment in the world’s two largest labor markets.
In China, a record 12.7 million university graduates were expected to enter the workforce in 2026, competing for jobs amid weak hiring and concerns about AI’s potential impact on entry-level work.
India faces similar challenges. Young people ages 15–29 account for roughly a quarter of its population, or 367 million people. In 2025, youth unemployment stood at 16%, highlighting the difficulty of translating India’s young workforce into employment opportunities.
Will Finding a Job Get Easier in 2027?
Global economic growth is projected to rise from 3.1% in 2026 to 3.4% in 2027, with the AI-driven technology boom helping support economic activity and investment.
However, faster growth does not necessarily translate into stronger hiring. While AI could boost productivity, its effects on employment remain uncertain, particularly for entry-level roles and occupations exposed to automation.
Learn More on the Voronoi App
To learn more about this topic, explore this graphic comparing average monthly salaries across major cities around the world.