LU4: Composite rate of labour underutilization in World

World: LU4: Composite rate of labour underutilization was 12.77 in 2027. ▼ Falling

Latest (2027)
12.77
Change on year
up 0.0%
Rank
50th
of 87 groups
All-time high
15.94
in 2020
All-time low
12.71
in 2024
Years of data
23
2005–2027

LU4: Composite rate of labour underutilization in World, 2005–2027

0510152005201620272005: 14.92006: 14.52007: 14.22008: 14.32009: 15.22010: 152011: 14.72012: 14.72013: 14.62014: 14.42015: 14.42016: 14.42017: 14.42018: 14.12019: 13.82020: 15.92021: 14.92022: 13.42023: 12.72024: 12.72025: 12.82026: 12.82027: 12.8

Source: International Labour Organization.

Analysis

In 2027, lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization in World stood at 12.77.

The figure is down 11.3% over ten years.

Over the whole period, lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization in World peaked at 15.94 in 2020 and was at its lowest, 12.71, in 2024.

That places World 50th out of 87 groups with data for 2027, putting it in the middle of the range.

The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 23 years of available data.

LU4: Composite rate of labour underutilization in World, year by year

Annual values for LU4: Composite rate of labour underutilization (ILO modelled estimates) in World, 2005 to 2027.
Year Value Change
2005 14.92
2006 14.54 -2.5%
2007 14.22 -2.2%
2008 14.32 +0.7%
2009 15.16 +5.9%
2010 14.95 -1.4%
2011 14.69 -1.8%
2012 14.74 +0.3%
2013 14.6 -1.0%
2014 14.39 -1.4%
2015 14.44 +0.3%
2016 14.43 -0.1%
2017 14.39 -0.2%
2018 14.05 -2.3%
2019 13.77 -2.0%
2020 15.94 +15.8%
2021 14.86 -6.8%
2022 13.41 -9.8%
2023 12.73 -5.1%
2024 12.71 -0.1%
2025 12.75 +0.3%
2026 12.77 +0.1%
2027 12.77 +0.0%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 14.63 14.22 15.16 5
2010s 14.44 13.77 14.95 10
2020s 13.49 12.71 15.94 8

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Frequently asked questions

What is lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization in World?
Lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization in World was 12.77 in 2027, according to International Labour Organization.
What is the highest lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization recorded in World?
The highest recorded value was 15.94 in 2020.
What is the lowest lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization recorded in World?
The lowest recorded value was 12.71 in 2024.
How does World rank for lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization?
World ranks 50th out of 87 groups with data for 2027.
Is lu4: composite rate of labour underutilization rising or falling in World?
Over the last ten years it is down 11.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
Where does this World data come from?
The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of LU4: Composite rate of labour underutilization (ILO modelled estimates). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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LU4: Composite rate of labour underutilization in World. Statizoid, drawing on International Labour Organization. Retrieved 23 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/lu4-composite-rate-of-labour-underutilization-ilo-modelled-estimates/world/

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About this data

Indicator
LU4: Composite rate of labour underutilization (ILO modelled estimates)
Source
International Labour Organization
Licence
ILO Terms of Use (attribution required)
Coverage
87 places, 2,001 data points, 2005–2027
Last refreshed

Imputed observations are not based on national data, are subject to high uncertainty and should not be used for country comparisons or rankings. This series is based on the 13th ICLS definitions. LU4 represents the share of the extended labour force that are in unemployment, time-related underemployment or the potential labour force. For more information, refer to the ILO Modelled Estimates (ILOEST) database description.