Canada Unemployment Rate
Unemployment as % of total labor force SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
Canada's unemployment rate was 6.91% in 2025, ranked 124th globally. This represents a 8.3% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1980–2025.
Overview
Canada's unemployment rate stood at 6.91% in 2025, a rise of +0.53pp from 2024. The IMF projects 6.86% by 2025. Canada ranked 124th globally.
Canada's unemployment rate has exhibited significant fluctuations over the past 46 years, with the all-time peak occurring in 1983 at 12.00% amidst a global economic downturn. Conversely, the country experienced a trough in 2022 with an unemployment rate of 5.28%, a result of a relatively strong economic performance. As of 2025, the unemployment rate stands at 6.91%, ranking Canada 124th globally. Compared to its peer countries, Canada's unemployment rate is slightly higher than that of Costa Rica at 6.84%. Historical trends suggest that Canada's unemployment rate has generally trended downwards since the 1980s, albeit with some volatility. The current rate remains above the 2022 trough, indicating a need for sustained economic growth to drive further reductions in unemployment. A significant increase in investment in the country's education and training sectors could potentially alter the trajectory of Canada's unemployment rate, helping to drive it closer to the global average.
Data & projection
| Year | Unemployment Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | 6.03% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | 6.12% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | 6.22% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | 6.34% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | 6.60% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | 6.86% | - | - |
| 2025 | 6.91% | +0.53pp | #124 |
| 2024 | 6.35% | +0.97pp | #118 |
| 2023 | 5.42% | +0.17pp | #103 |
| 2022 | 5.28% | −2.20pp | #96 |
| 2021 | 7.53% | −2.22pp | #120 |
| 2020 | 9.66% | +3.97pp | #135 |
| 2019 | 5.69% | −0.14pp | #105 |
| 2018 | 5.84% | −0.58pp | #107 |
| 2017 | 6.43% | −0.62pp | #108 |
| 2016 | 7.04% | +0.04pp | #110 |
| 2015 | 6.95% | −0.11pp | #105 |
| 2014 | 7.02% | −0.19pp | #104 |
| 2013 | 7.14% | −0.30pp | #102 |
| 2012 | 7.39% | −0.23pp | #104 |
| 2011 | 7.64% | −0.52pp | #111 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Canada matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2007. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw unemployment rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Ottawa's announcement of 100,000 additional permanent resident spots for provinces with labor needs, particularly in the Atlantic region, directly relates to Canada's labor market. This policy aims to address workforce shortages, which could help stabilize or potentially lower the national unemployment rate of 6.91% by filling existing job vacancies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Canada's unemployment rate was 6.91% in 2025. Ranked 124th globally. This represents a 8.3% increase from the previous year.
Canada's unemployment rate peaked at 12.00% in 1983.
The lowest unemployment rate in Canada was 5.28% in 2022.
Canada ranks 124th globally in unemployment rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Canada's unemployment rate is projected to reach 6.86% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The unemployment rate of Canada in 2025 was 6.91%. This ranks 124th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_canada_unemployment-rate,
title = {Canada Unemployment Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/canada/unemployment-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}