Labour indicators levels - Regions — Unemployment in European Union (15 countries)

European Union (15 countries): Labour indicators levels - Regions — Unemployment was 13.79 million Persons in 2019. ▲ Rising

Latest (2019)
13.79 million Persons
Change on year
down 6.6%
Rank
1st
of 6 regions
All-time high
21.43 million Persons
in 2013
All-time low
12.94 million Persons
in 2001
Years of data
21
1999–2019

Labour indicators levels - Regions — Unemployment in European Union (15 countries), 1999–2019

05.0M10.0M15.0M20.0M1999200920191999: 16.2M Persons2000: 14.5M Persons2001: 12.9M Persons2002: 13.7M Persons2003: 14.5M Persons2004: 15.0M Persons2005: 15.1M Persons2006: 14.5M Persons2007: 13.3M Persons2008: 13.7M Persons2009: 17.4M Persons2010: 18.2M Persons2011: 18.4M Persons2012: 20.4M Persons2013: 21.4M Persons2014: 20.4M Persons2015: 19.1M Persons2016: 17.8M Persons2017: 16.2M Persons2018: 14.8M Persons2019: 13.8M Persons

Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Measured in Persons.

Analysis

The most recent figure for labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment in European Union (15 countries) is 13.79 million Persons, measured in 2019.

That represents a change of down 6.6% on the previous year and down 20.7% over ten years.

Over the whole period, labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment in European Union (15 countries) peaked at 21.43 million Persons in 2013 and was at its lowest, 12.94 million Persons, in 2001.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 21 years of available data.

Labour indicators levels - Regions — Unemployment in European Union (15 countries), year by year

Annual values for Labour indicators levels - Regions — Unemployment in European Union (15 countries), 1999 to 2019.
Year Persons Change
1999 16.22 million Persons
2000 14.52 million Persons -10.4%
2001 12.94 million Persons -10.9%
2002 13.73 million Persons +6.1%
2003 14.48 million Persons +5.4%
2004 15.00 million Persons +3.6%
2005 15.14 million Persons +0.9%
2006 14.53 million Persons -4.0%
2007 13.32 million Persons -8.3%
2008 13.67 million Persons +2.6%
2009 17.40 million Persons +27.2%
2010 18.18 million Persons +4.5%
2011 18.43 million Persons +1.4%
2012 20.44 million Persons +10.9%
2013 21.43 million Persons +4.9%
2014 20.42 million Persons -4.7%
2015 19.05 million Persons -6.7%
2016 17.75 million Persons -6.8%
2017 16.17 million Persons -8.9%
2018 14.76 million Persons -8.7%
2019 13.79 million Persons -6.6%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 16.22 million Persons 16.22 million Persons 16.22 million Persons 1
2000s 14.47 million Persons 12.94 million Persons 17.40 million Persons 10
2010s 18.04 million Persons 13.79 million Persons 21.43 million Persons 10

Countries ranked near European Union (15 countries)

  1. 1 OECD 47.45 million Persons compare
  2. 2 United States of America 6.83 million Persons compare
  3. 3 Brazil 6.64 million Persons compare
  4. 4 South Africa 5.07 million Persons compare

See the full ranking of 54 places →

More work & labour data for European Union (15 countries)

All data for European Union (15 countries) →

Frequently asked questions

What is labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment in European Union (15 countries)?
Labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment in European Union (15 countries) was 13.79 million Persons in 2019, according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
What is the highest labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment recorded in European Union (15 countries)?
The highest recorded value was 21.43 million Persons in 2013.
What is the lowest labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment recorded in European Union (15 countries)?
The lowest recorded value was 12.94 million Persons in 2001.
How does European Union (15 countries) rank for labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment?
European Union (15 countries) ranks 1st out of 6 regions with data for 2019.
Is labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment rising or falling in European Union (15 countries)?
Over the last ten years it is down 20.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this European Union (15 countries) 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.

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Labour indicators levels - Regions — Unemployment in European Union (15 countries). Statizoid, drawing on Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Retrieved 31 August 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/labour-indicators-levels-regions-unemployment/european-union-15-countries/

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About this data

Indicator
Labour indicators levels - Regions — Unemployment
Unit
Persons
Source
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
Licence
OECD Terms and Conditions (attribution required)
Coverage
54 places, 1,325 data points, 1995–2025
Last refreshed

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.