Serbia Unemployment Rate
Unemployment as % of total labor force SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
Serbia's unemployment rate was 7.12% in 2025, ranked 126th globally. This represents a 16.9% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Serbia's unemployment rate stood at 7.12% in 2025, a decline of +1.45pp from 2024. The IMF projects 8.62% by 2025. Serbia ranked 126th globally.
Serbia's unemployment rate has exhibited significant fluctuations over the past three and a half decades, with the most recent reading standing at 7.12% in 2025. This represents a substantial improvement from the all-time peak of 24.00% in 2012, which occurred amidst the European sovereign debt crisis. Conversely, the current unemployment rate is also the lowest recorded, surpassing the all-time trough of 7.12% in 2025. Serbia's unemployment rate is comparable to that of Tajikistan, which ranks 6th globally at 6.93%, while being slightly higher than Canada's 6.91% and lower than Uruguay's 7.52%. The unemployment rate has decreased steadily since the 1990s, when it peaked at 13.37% in 1991, indicating a general improvement in the labor market. However, a sustained economic downturn or a significant decline in foreign investment could potentially reverse this trend and lead to an increase in unemployment.
Data & projection
| Year | Unemployment Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | 8.22% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | 8.32% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | 8.42% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | 8.52% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | 8.59% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | 8.62% | - | - |
| 2025 | 7.12% | −1.45pp | #126 |
| 2024 | 7.24% | −2.19pp | #132 |
| 2023 | 8.27% | −1.25pp | #139 |
| 2022 | 8.44% | −2.67pp | #139 |
| 2021 | 9.84% | +0.13pp | #141 |
| 2020 | 9.01% | −2.26pp | #132 |
| 2019 | 10.40% | −3.28pp | #146 |
| 2018 | 12.73% | −1.77pp | #163 |
| 2017 | 13.48% | −2.91pp | #164 |
| 2016 | 15.26% | −3.67pp | #166 |
| 2015 | 17.66% | −2.90pp | #173 |
| 2014 | 19.22% | −3.78pp | #178 |
| 2013 | 22.15% | −2.45pp | #183 |
| 2012 | 24.00% | +0.40pp | #184 |
| 2011 | 22.96% | +2.96pp | #186 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Serbia matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2011. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw unemployment rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Serbia's unemployment rate was 7.12% in 2025. Ranked 126th globally. This represents a 16.9% decrease from the previous year.
Serbia's unemployment rate peaked at 24.00% in 2012.
The lowest unemployment rate in Serbia was 7.12% in 2025.
Serbia ranks 126th globally in unemployment rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Serbia's unemployment rate is projected to reach 8.62% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The unemployment rate of Serbia in 2025 was 7.12%. This ranks 126th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_serbia_unemployment-rate,
title = {Serbia Unemployment Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/serbia/unemployment-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}