Thailand Unemployment Rate
Unemployment as % of total labor force SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
Thailand's unemployment rate was 0.78% in 2025, ranked 4th globally. This represents a 21.9% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Thailand's unemployment rate stood at 0.78% in 2025, a decline of +0.22pp from 2024. The IMF projects 1.00% by 2025. Thailand ranked 4th globally.
Thailand’s unemployment rate has fallen dramatically over the 36‑year series, declining from 2.20 % in 1990 to a historic low of 0.25 % in 2013 and reaching 0.78 % in 2025, the fourth‑lowest level among World Bank‑reported economies. The all‑time peak of 3.40 % in 1998 coincided with the Asian financial crisis, after which labor market adjustments and robust export‑driven growth pushed the rate steadily downward. By contrast, peer economies such as Cambodia (0.26 % in 2025) and Burundi (0.92 % in 2025) illustrate the regional variation in labor market tightness, with Thailand’s figure remaining modestly higher than Cambodia’s but well below Burundi’s. The sustained decline reflects structural reforms, a youthful workforce, and expanding services, yet the modest rise from the 2013 trough suggests that future shifts in global demand, demographic ageing, or policy changes could alter the trajectory, potentially moderating the low‑unemployment environment.
Data & projection
| Year | Unemployment Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | 1.00% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | 1.00% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | 1.00% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | 1.00% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | 1.00% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | 1.00% | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.78% | −0.22pp | #4 |
| 2024 | 0.78% | −0.22pp | #4 |
| 2023 | 0.73% | −0.57pp | #4 |
| 2022 | 0.94% | −0.96pp | #6 |
| 2021 | 1.22% | −0.49pp | #7 |
| 2020 | 1.10% | +0.10pp | #6 |
| 2019 | 0.72% | −0.38pp | #5 |
| 2018 | 0.77% | −0.44pp | #5 |
| 2017 | 0.83% | −0.17pp | #5 |
| 2016 | 0.69% | −0.21pp | #3 |
| 2015 | 0.60% | −0.20pp | #4 |
| 2014 | 0.58% | −0.12pp | #3 |
| 2013 | 0.25% | −0.45pp | #1 |
| 2012 | 0.58% | −0.12pp | #3 |
| 2011 | 0.66% | −0.34pp | #4 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Thailand matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2017. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw unemployment rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Thailand's unemployment rate was 0.78% in 2025. Ranked 4th globally. This represents a 21.9% decrease from the previous year.
Thailand's unemployment rate peaked at 3.40% in 1998.
The lowest unemployment rate in Thailand was 0.25% in 2013.
Thailand ranks 4th globally in unemployment rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Thailand's unemployment rate is projected to reach 1.00% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The unemployment rate of Thailand in 2025 was 0.78%. This ranks 4th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_thailand_unemployment-rate,
title = {Thailand Unemployment Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/thailand/unemployment-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}