Romania Unemployment Rate
Unemployment as % of total labor force SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
Romania's unemployment rate was 5.99% in 2025, ranked 111th globally. This represents a 10.3% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1985–2025.
Overview
Romania's unemployment rate stood at 5.99% in 2025, a rise of +0.56pp from 2024. The IMF projects 5.90% by 2025. Romania ranked 111th globally.
Romania's unemployment rate has fluctuated significantly over the 41 years of recorded data, with the latest figure standing at 5.99% in 2025, ranking 111th globally. This is a notable improvement from the all-time peak of 8.26% in 1992, a time of significant economic upheaval. In contrast, the country experienced its lowest unemployment rate of 3.40% in 1990. Romania's current unemployment rate is closely matched by that of peer countries such as Puerto Rico (US) at 5.99% and Eritrea at 5.98%. The country's unemployment rate has been steadily trending downwards in recent years, and this trajectory is likely to continue unless significant economic disruptions occur, which could potentially alter the course of the unemployment trend in Romania.
Data & projection
| Year | Unemployment Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | 5.00% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | 5.20% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | 5.40% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | 5.60% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | 5.80% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | 5.90% | - | - |
| 2025 | 5.99% | +0.56pp | #111 |
| 2024 | 5.40% | −0.17pp | #105 |
| 2023 | 5.59% | −0.04pp | #107 |
| 2022 | 5.61% | +0.01pp | #105 |
| 2021 | 5.59% | −0.49pp | #90 |
| 2020 | 5.04% | +0.14pp | #69 |
| 2019 | 3.91% | −1.34pp | #62 |
| 2018 | 4.19% | −1.91pp | #67 |
| 2017 | 4.93% | −2.27pp | #83 |
| 2016 | 5.90% | −2.49pp | #96 |
| 2015 | 6.81% | −1.78pp | #101 |
| 2014 | 6.80% | −2.19pp | #100 |
| 2013 | 7.10% | −1.60pp | #100 |
| 2012 | 6.79% | −2.30pp | #96 |
| 2011 | 7.18% | −1.85pp | #102 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Romania matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2023. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw unemployment rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Romania's unemployment rate was 5.99% in 2025. Ranked 111th globally. This represents a 10.3% increase from the previous year.
Romania's unemployment rate peaked at 8.26% in 1992.
The lowest unemployment rate in Romania was 3.40% in 1989.
Romania ranks 111th globally in unemployment rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Romania's unemployment rate is projected to reach 5.90% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The unemployment rate of Romania in 2025 was 5.99%. This ranks 111th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_romania_unemployment-rate,
title = {Romania Unemployment Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/romania/unemployment-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}