Labour indicators levels - Regions — Unemployment in Australia
Australia: Labour indicators levels - Regions — Unemployment was 660,539 Persons in 2025. ▬ Flat
Labour indicators levels - Regions — Unemployment in Australia, 1995–2025
Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Measured in Persons.
Analysis
In 2025, labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment in Australia stood at 660,539 Persons.
That represents a change of up 10.0% on the previous year and down 12.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment in Australia peaked at 867,116 Persons in 2020 and was at its lowest, 474,464 Persons, in 2008.
That places Australia 16th out of 46 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
Labour indicators levels - Regions — Unemployment in Australia, year by year
| Year | Persons | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 757,703 Persons | — |
| 1996 | 771,551 Persons | +1.8% |
| 1997 | 763,483 Persons | -1.0% |
| 1998 | 708,115 Persons | -7.3% |
| 1999 | 639,994 Persons | -9.6% |
| 2000 | 596,754 Persons | -6.8% |
| 2001 | 651,765 Persons | +9.2% |
| 2002 | 624,998 Persons | -4.1% |
| 2003 | 592,202 Persons | -5.2% |
| 2004 | 545,051 Persons | -8.0% |
| 2005 | 523,591 Persons | -3.9% |
| 2006 | 508,488 Persons | -2.9% |
| 2007 | 477,608 Persons | -6.1% |
| 2008 | 474,464 Persons | -0.7% |
| 2009 | 636,241 Persons | +34.1% |
| 2010 | 605,985 Persons | -4.8% |
| 2011 | 600,285 Persons | -0.9% |
| 2012 | 625,596 Persons | +4.2% |
| 2013 | 687,608 Persons | +9.9% |
| 2014 | 746,639 Persons | +8.6% |
| 2015 | 758,261 Persons | +1.6% |
| 2016 | 725,144 Persons | -4.4% |
| 2017 | 725,381 Persons | +0.0% |
| 2018 | 702,698 Persons | -3.1% |
| 2019 | 698,624 Persons | -0.6% |
| 2020 | 867,116 Persons | +24.1% |
| 2021 | 703,650 Persons | -18.9% |
| 2022 | 524,354 Persons | -25.5% |
| 2023 | 536,767 Persons | +2.4% |
| 2024 | 600,443 Persons | +11.9% |
| 2025 | 660,539 Persons | +10.0% |
Australia compared with similar countries
- Australia's 660,539 Persons is above the median for high income countries, which is 273,650 Persons, 2.4× the median. (38 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 728,169 Persons | 639,994 Persons | 771,551 Persons | 5 |
| 2000s | 563,116 Persons | 474,464 Persons | 651,765 Persons | 10 |
| 2010s | 687,622 Persons | 600,285 Persons | 758,261 Persons | 10 |
| 2020s | 648,812 Persons | 524,354 Persons | 867,116 Persons | 6 |
Countries ranked near Australia
More work & labour data for Australia
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.5057 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.4907 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.5202 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -0.9895 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.8931 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 30,186 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 3,001 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 21,642 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 21,502 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 43,144 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment in Australia?
- Labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment in Australia was 660,539 Persons in 2025, according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
- What is the highest labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment recorded in Australia?
- The highest recorded value was 867,116 Persons in 2020.
- What is the lowest labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment recorded in Australia?
- The lowest recorded value was 474,464 Persons in 2008.
- How does Australia rank for labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment?
- Australia ranks 16th out of 46 countries with data for 2025.
- Is labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment rising or falling in Australia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 12.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Australia data come from?
- The figures come from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, published as part of Labour indicators levels - Regions — Unemployment. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
This dataset presents indicators on the size of the labour force, employment, and unemployment in large regions (TL2) and, where available, in small regions (TL3). Data definition and source The labour force status is presented by sex, for 15-64 year-olds and 15+ year-olds age ranges, the latter having less country coverage. Data is based on a labour force survey using ILO guidelines and collected from Eurostat (reg_lmk) for EU countries and via delegates of the OECD Working Party on Territorial Indicators (WPTI), as well as from national statistical offices' websites. Definition of regions Regions are subnational units below national boundaries. OECD countries have two regional levels: large regions (territorial level 2 or TL2) and small regions (territorial level 3 or TL3). For more information, see the OECD Territorial grid (pdf) and the OECD Territorial Correspondence Table (xlsx). Cite this dataset OECD Regions, Cities and Local Areas database http://oe.cd/geostats. Further information OECD Regions and Cities Statistical Atlas OECD Regions and Cities at a Glance For questions and/or comments, please email RegionStat@oecd.org.