United Arab Emirates Unemployment Rate
Unemployment as % of total labor force SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
United Arab Emirates's unemployment rate was 2.17% in 2025, ranked 19th globally. This represents a 0.6% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
United Arab Emirates's unemployment rate stood at 2.17% in 2025, a rise of +0.01pp from 2024. United Arab Emirates ranked 19th globally.
The United Arab Emirates’ unemployment rate has risen modestly over the 35‑year series, moving from a trough of 1.63 % in 1991 to an all‑time peak of 4.29 % in 2020 before easing to 2.17 % in 2025, placing the emirate at 19th globally. The post‑pandemic rebound reflects both the temporary contraction of expatriate labor and the gradual re‑absorption of workers as the economy diversified beyond oil. Compared with peers, the UAE’s 2025 rate is marginally higher than Russia’s 2.13 % and close to Kuwait’s 2.18 %, indicating a similar labor market tightness in the Gulf region. The modest decline from the 2020 peak suggests that policy measures aimed at expanding private‑sector employment and enhancing skill development are beginning to bear fruit. Continued investment in non‑hydrocarbon sectors and the gradual localisation of the workforce will be crucial to sustain the downward trajectory and prevent a resurgence of higher unemployment levels.
Data & projection
| Year | Unemployment Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2.17% | +0.01pp | #19 |
| 2024 | 2.16% | +0.01pp | #20 |
| 2023 | 2.15% | −0.72pp | #20 |
| 2022 | 2.87% | −0.23pp | #33 |
| 2021 | 3.11% | −1.19pp | #29 |
| 2020 | 4.29% | +1.96pp | #52 |
| 2019 | 2.33% | +0.09pp | #24 |
| 2018 | 2.24% | −0.23pp | #20 |
| 2017 | 2.46% | +0.82pp | #22 |
| 2016 | 1.64% | −0.15pp | #12 |
| 2015 | 1.79% | −0.21pp | #13 |
| 2014 | 2.00% | −0.13pp | #19 |
| 2013 | 2.13% | −0.20pp | #20 |
| 2012 | 2.32% | −0.26pp | #22 |
| 2011 | 2.59% | −0.21pp | #21 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
United Arab Emirates matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw unemployment rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
United Arab Emirates's unemployment rate was 2.17% in 2025. Ranked 19th globally. This represents a 0.6% increase from the previous year.
United Arab Emirates's unemployment rate peaked at 4.29% in 2020.
The lowest unemployment rate in United Arab Emirates was 1.63% in 1991.
United Arab Emirates ranks 19th 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 United Arab Emirates in 2025 was 2.17%. This ranks 19th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_united-arab-emirates_unemployment-rate,
title = {United Arab Emirates Unemployment Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/united-arab-emirates/unemployment-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}