[ILO] Proportion of unemployed persons receiving unemployment cash in United States

United States: [ILO] Proportion of unemployed persons receiving unemployment cash was 50.5% in 2021. ▬ Flat

Latest (2021)
50.5%
Change on year
up 81.0%
World rank
32nd
of 85 countries
All-time high
50.5%
in 2021
All-time low
27.2%
in 2011
Years of data
11
2000–2021

[ILO] Proportion of unemployed persons receiving unemployment cash in United States, 2000–2021

02040602000201020212000: 37.12005: 352007: 35.92008: 372009: 40.42010: 30.62011: 27.22014: 27.92018: 28.32019: 27.92021: 50.5

Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.

Analysis

In 2021, [ilo] proportion of unemployed persons receiving unemployment cash in United States stood at 50.5%. That is the highest value across all 11 years on record.

The figure is up 81.0% on the previous year and up 85.7% over ten years.

Over the whole period, [ilo] proportion of unemployed persons receiving unemployment cash in United States peaked at 50.5% in 2021 and was at its lowest, 27.2%, in 2011.

That places United States 32nd out of 85 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the middle of the range.

[ILO] Proportion of unemployed persons receiving unemployment cash in United States, year by year

Annual values for [ILO] Proportion of unemployed persons receiving unemployment cash benefit, by sex (%) in United States, 2000 to 2021.
Year Value Change
2000 37.1%
2005 35.0% -5.7%
2007 35.9% +2.6%
2008 37.0% +3.1%
2009 40.4% +9.2%
2010 30.6% -24.3%
2011 27.2% -11.1%
2014 27.9% +2.6%
2018 28.3% +1.4%
2019 27.9% -1.4%
2021 50.5% +81.0%

United States compared with similar countries

  • United States's 50.5% is below the median for high income countries, which is 55.4%, 91% of the median. (43 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 37.1% 35.0% 40.4% 5
2010s 28.4% 27.2% 30.6% 5
2020s 50.5% 50.5% 50.5% 1

Countries ranked near United States

  1. 29 Czechia 56.6% compare
  2. 30 Switzerland 55.4% compare
  3. 31 Italy 51.5% compare
  4. 33 Canada 47.4% compare
  5. 33 Caribbean 1.9% compare
  6. 34 Latvia 46.1% compare
  7. 35 Belarus 44.6% compare

See the full ranking of 124 places →

More work & labour data for United States

All data for United States →

Frequently asked questions

What is [ilo] proportion of unemployed persons receiving unemployment cash in United States?
[ilo] proportion of unemployed persons receiving unemployment cash in United States was 50.5% in 2021, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
What is the highest [ilo] proportion of unemployed persons receiving unemployment cash recorded in United States?
The highest recorded value was 50.5% in 2021.
What is the lowest [ilo] proportion of unemployed persons receiving unemployment cash recorded in United States?
The lowest recorded value was 27.2% in 2011.
How does United States rank for [ilo] proportion of unemployed persons receiving unemployment cash?
United States ranks 32nd out of 85 countries with data for 2021.
Is [ilo] proportion of unemployed persons receiving unemployment cash rising or falling in United States?
Over the last ten years it is up 85.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
Where does this United States data come from?
The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of [ILO] Proportion of unemployed persons receiving unemployment cash benefit, by sex (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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[ILO] Proportion of unemployed persons receiving unemployment cash in United States. Statizoid, drawing on United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Retrieved 18 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/ilo-proportion-of-unemployed-persons-receiving-unemployment-cash-benefit-by-sex-percent/united-states/

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About this data

Indicator
[ILO] Proportion of unemployed persons receiving unemployment cash benefit, by sex (%)
Source
United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database
Licence
UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested)
Coverage
124 places, 1,171 data points, 2000–2024
Last refreshed