European Union Unemployment Rate
Unemployment as % of total labor force SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
European Union's unemployment rate was 5.93% in 2025, ranked 107th globally. This represents a 0.1% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
European Union's unemployment rate stood at 5.93% in 2025, a rise of +0.00pp from 2024. European Union ranked 107th globally.
The European Union’s unemployment rate has fallen to 5.93 % in 2025, ranking it 107th globally, after reaching an all‑time trough of 5.92 % in 2024 and a peak of 11.55 % in 1994. Over the 35‑year span from 1991, when the rate stood at 8.59 %, the decline reflects sustained labor‑market reforms, the gradual integration of newer member states, and the post‑financial‑crisis recovery that accelerated after 2015. Compared with peers of similar rank, the EU’s rate is close to Belgium’s 5.91 % and Brazil’s 5.97 %, indicating that the bloc now shares a low‑unemployment profile with both advanced and emerging economies. The modest rise from the 2024 trough suggests a slight softening, but the long‑term downward trajectory remains intact. Future movements will likely hinge on the pace of digital transformation, demographic shifts, and the ability of policy to sustain job creation amid evolving macro‑economic conditions.
Data & projection
| Year | Unemployment Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5.93% | +0.00pp | #107 |
| 2024 | 5.92% | −0.10pp | #114 |
| 2023 | 6.03% | −0.13pp | #116 |
| 2022 | 6.16% | −0.87pp | #117 |
| 2021 | 7.03% | −0.03pp | #113 |
| 2020 | 7.05% | +0.38pp | #106 |
| 2019 | 6.68% | −0.57pp | #121 |
| 2018 | 7.24% | −0.89pp | #120 |
| 2017 | 8.13% | −0.97pp | #126 |
| 2016 | 9.11% | −0.91pp | #133 |
| 2015 | 10.02% | −0.81pp | #139 |
| 2014 | 10.83% | −0.53pp | #142 |
| 2013 | 11.35% | +0.48pp | #140 |
| 2012 | 10.88% | +0.95pp | #138 |
| 2011 | 9.93% | +0.06pp | #133 |
Analysis
European Union's unemployment rate was 5.93% in 2025, a rise of +0.00pp from 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
European Union's unemployment rate was 5.93% in 2025. Ranked 107th globally. This represents a 0.1% increase from the previous year.
European Union's unemployment rate peaked at 11.55% in 1994.
The lowest unemployment rate in European Union was 5.92% in 2024.
European Union ranks 107th globally in unemployment rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
The unemployment rate of European Union in 2025 was 5.93%. This ranks 107th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_european-union_unemployment-rate,
title = {European Union Unemployment Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/european-union/unemployment-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}