Montenegro Unemployment Rate
Unemployment as % of total labor force SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
Montenegro's unemployment rate was 13.57% in 2025, ranked 164th globally. This represents a 2.8% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Montenegro's unemployment rate stood at 13.57% in 2025, a rise of +0.37pp from 2024. Montenegro ranked 164th globally.
Montenegro’s unemployment rate has fallen sharply over the past three and a half decades, moving from a high of 30.12 % in 1991 to an all‑time peak of 30.54 % in 2001 before reaching a trough of 13.15 % in 2023. By 2025 the rate stood at 13.57 %, placing the country at 164th in the global ranking and tying it with the Syrian Arab Republic, while Angola and Afghanistan register slightly higher rates of 14.11 % and 13.35 % respectively. The steep decline since the early 2000s reflects structural reforms, increased tourism, and integration into European markets, which have expanded job opportunities in services and construction. Nevertheless, the persistence of a double‑digit unemployment level suggests that labour market frictions, such as skill mismatches and seasonal employment, remain significant. Continued investment in vocational training and diversification of export sectors could sustain the downward trajectory and bring the unemployment rate closer to the European Union average in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Unemployment Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 13.57% | +0.37pp | #164 |
| 2024 | 13.21% | +0.06pp | #168 |
| 2023 | 13.15% | −1.71pp | #168 |
| 2022 | 14.85% | −1.69pp | #172 |
| 2021 | 16.54% | −1.34pp | #175 |
| 2020 | 17.88% | +2.75pp | #175 |
| 2019 | 15.13% | −0.06pp | #170 |
| 2018 | 15.19% | −0.89pp | #169 |
| 2017 | 16.08% | −1.65pp | #170 |
| 2016 | 17.73% | +0.18pp | #174 |
| 2015 | 17.56% | −0.50pp | #172 |
| 2014 | 18.05% | −1.53pp | #173 |
| 2013 | 19.59% | −0.22pp | #179 |
| 2012 | 19.81% | +0.05pp | #182 |
| 2011 | 19.76% | +0.11pp | #182 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Montenegro matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2022. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw unemployment rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Montenegro's unemployment rate was 13.57% in 2025. Ranked 164th globally. This represents a 2.8% increase from the previous year.
Montenegro's unemployment rate peaked at 30.54% in 2001.
The lowest unemployment rate in Montenegro was 13.15% in 2023.
Montenegro ranks 164th 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 Montenegro in 2025 was 13.57%. This ranks 164th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_montenegro_unemployment-rate,
title = {Montenegro Unemployment Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/montenegro/unemployment-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}