Iran, Islamic Republic of Unemployment Rate
Unemployment as % of total labor force SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
Iran, Islamic Republic of's unemployment rate was 8.30% in 2025, ranked 132nd globally. This represents a 9.9% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Iran, Islamic Republic of's unemployment rate stood at 8.30% in 2025, a rise of +0.75pp from 2024. The IMF projects 9.20% by 2025. Iran, Islamic Republic of ranked 132nd globally.
Iran’s unemployment rate has fallen markedly since the 1990 peak of 14.20% in that year, reaching a trough of 8.13% in 2023 and a latest reading of 8.30% in 2025, placing the country 132nd globally. The decline reflects a gradual absorption of labor into sectors such as services and construction, aided by modest macro‑policy adjustments that have tempered inflationary pressures and supported modest private‑sector growth. Compared with peers of similar ranking, Iran’s rate is close to Colombia’s 8.29% and Estonia’s 8.31%, suggesting a convergence with middle‑income economies that have managed to keep joblessness near the low‑single‑digit range. Nonetheless, the slight uptick from the 2023 trough signals vulnerability to external shocks, including sanctions and commodity price volatility, which could reverse recent gains. Continued diversification of the economy and targeted employment programmes will be crucial to sustain the downward trajectory and prevent a resurgence of higher unemployment levels.
Data & projection
| Year | Unemployment Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | 9.00% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | 9.00% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | 9.00% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | 9.00% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | 9.20% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | 9.20% | - | - |
| 2025 | 8.30% | +0.75pp | #132 |
| 2024 | 8.15% | +0.07pp | #136 |
| 2023 | 8.13% | −0.87pp | #137 |
| 2022 | 9.09% | −0.09pp | #143 |
| 2021 | 9.28% | −0.32pp | #135 |
| 2020 | 9.69% | −0.96pp | #137 |
| 2019 | 10.74% | −1.39pp | #149 |
| 2018 | 12.20% | +0.12pp | #158 |
| 2017 | 12.23% | −0.19pp | #157 |
| 2016 | 12.62% | +1.62pp | #156 |
| 2015 | 11.17% | +0.57pp | #146 |
| 2014 | 10.68% | +0.28pp | #140 |
| 2013 | 10.60% | −1.51pp | #138 |
| 2012 | 12.28% | −0.03pp | #151 |
| 2011 | 12.49% | −1.01pp | #151 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Iran, Islamic Republic of matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2019. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw unemployment rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Iran, Islamic Republic of's unemployment rate was 8.30% in 2025. Ranked 132nd globally. This represents a 9.9% increase from the previous year.
Iran, Islamic Republic of's unemployment rate peaked at 14.20% in 1990.
The lowest unemployment rate in Iran, Islamic Republic of was 8.13% in 2023.
Iran, Islamic Republic of ranks 132nd globally in unemployment rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Iran, Islamic Republic of's unemployment rate is projected to reach 9.20% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The unemployment rate of Iran, Islamic Republic of in 2025 was 8.30%. This ranks 132nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_iran-islamic-republic-of_unemployment-rate,
title = {Iran, Islamic Republic of Unemployment Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/iran-islamic-republic-of/unemployment-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}