Israel Unemployment Rate
Unemployment as % of total labor force SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
Israel's unemployment rate was 3.49% in 2025, ranked 56th globally. This represents a 17.0% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1980–2025.
Overview
Israel's unemployment rate stood at 3.49% in 2025, a rise of +0.51pp from 2024. The IMF projects 2.90% by 2025. Israel ranked 56th globally.
Israel’s unemployment rate has fallen to 3.49 % in 2025, ranking it 56th worldwide, and sits just above the all‑time trough of 3.37 % recorded in 2023 after a decade of gradual decline. The rate’s most dramatic surge occurred in 1992, when it peaked at 14.08 % amid the early‑1990s recession and the influx of immigrants from the former Soviet Union, a shock that took more than a decade to absorb. Since the early 2000s, the labor market has tightened, with the rate slipping from the 4.78 % level observed in 1980 to below 4 % for the first time in the series. Israel’s current figure is comparable to those of peer economies such as Belarus (3.38 %) and Kyrgyz Republic (3.53 %), reflecting a regional pattern of low unemployment in the post‑pandemic era. Continued resilience in high‑tech exports and sustained fiscal support will be crucial to keep the downward trajectory, while any external shock could reverse the modest gains.
Data & projection
| Year | Unemployment Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | 3.93% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | 3.93% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | 3.73% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | 3.50% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | 3.20% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | 2.90% | - | - |
| 2025 | 3.49% | +0.51pp | #56 |
| 2024 | 3.60% | +0.15pp | #61 |
| 2023 | 3.37% | −0.40pp | #54 |
| 2022 | 3.70% | −1.27pp | #57 |
| 2021 | 4.81% | +0.53pp | #66 |
| 2020 | 4.17% | +0.34pp | #48 |
| 2019 | 3.73% | −0.25pp | #59 |
| 2018 | 3.92% | −0.31pp | #59 |
| 2017 | 4.14% | −0.69pp | #61 |
| 2016 | 4.72% | −0.52pp | #72 |
| 2015 | 5.18% | −0.72pp | #79 |
| 2014 | 5.79% | −0.42pp | #86 |
| 2013 | 6.14% | −0.75pp | #91 |
| 2012 | 6.76% | −0.29pp | #94 |
| 2011 | 7.14% | −1.11pp | #99 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Israel matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw unemployment rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
The headline regarding Western bans on Israeli settlement goods indicates a potential loss of 4,000 jobs for Palestinians. While these jobs are primarily held by Palestinians, they are within an economic
Frequently Asked Questions
Israel's unemployment rate was 3.49% in 2025. Ranked 56th globally. This represents a 17.0% increase from the previous year.
Israel's unemployment rate peaked at 14.08% in 1992.
The lowest unemployment rate in Israel was 3.37% in 2023.
Israel ranks 56th globally in unemployment rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Israel's unemployment rate is projected to reach 2.90% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The unemployment rate of Israel in 2025 was 3.49%. This ranks 56th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_israel_unemployment-rate,
title = {Israel Unemployment Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/israel/unemployment-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}