Monthly unemployment levels in Japan
Japan: Monthly unemployment levels was 1,758 Persons in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Monthly unemployment levels in Japan, 1955–2025
Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Measured in Persons.
Analysis
The most recent figure for monthly unemployment levels in Japan is 1,758 Persons, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of down 0.3% on the previous year and down 20.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, monthly unemployment levels in Japan peaked at 3,588 Persons in 2002 and was at its lowest, 546.67 Persons, in 1964.
Japan ranks 6th of 32 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Monthly unemployment levels in Japan, year by year
| Year | Persons | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1955 | 1,050 Persons | — |
| 1956 | 978.33 Persons | -6.8% |
| 1957 | 834.17 Persons | -14.7% |
| 1958 | 897.5 Persons | +7.6% |
| 1959 | 976.67 Persons | +8.8% |
| 1960 | 723.33 Persons | -25.9% |
| 1961 | 647.5 Persons | -10.5% |
| 1962 | 589.17 Persons | -9.0% |
| 1963 | 586.67 Persons | -0.4% |
| 1964 | 546.67 Persons | -6.8% |
| 1965 | 581.67 Persons | +6.4% |
| 1966 | 639.17 Persons | +9.9% |
| 1967 | 627.5 Persons | -1.8% |
| 1968 | 593.33 Persons | -5.4% |
| 1969 | 575.83 Persons | -2.9% |
| 1970 | 593.33 Persons | +3.0% |
| 1971 | 639.17 Persons | +7.7% |
| 1972 | 733.33 Persons | +14.7% |
| 1973 | 670.83 Persons | -8.5% |
| 1974 | 735.83 Persons | +9.7% |
| 1975 | 998.33 Persons | +35.7% |
| 1976 | 1,078 Persons | +8.0% |
| 1977 | 1,099 Persons | +1.9% |
| 1978 | 1,238 Persons | +12.6% |
| 1979 | 1,167 Persons | -5.7% |
| 1980 | 1,140 Persons | -2.3% |
| 1981 | 1,259 Persons | +10.5% |
| 1982 | 1,359 Persons | +7.9% |
| 1983 | 1,561 Persons | +14.8% |
| 1984 | 1,608 Persons | +3.0% |
| 1985 | 1,563 Persons | -2.8% |
| 1986 | 1,668 Persons | +6.7% |
| 1987 | 1,732 Persons | +3.8% |
| 1988 | 1,553 Persons | -10.3% |
| 1989 | 1,418 Persons | -8.7% |
| 1990 | 1,342 Persons | -5.3% |
| 1991 | 1,366 Persons | +1.7% |
| 1992 | 1,421 Persons | +4.0% |
| 1993 | 1,656 Persons | +16.5% |
| 1994 | 1,920 Persons | +16.0% |
| 1995 | 2,098 Persons | +9.3% |
| 1996 | 2,250 Persons | +7.2% |
| 1997 | 2,302 Persons | +2.3% |
| 1998 | 2,787 Persons | +21.0% |
| 1999 | 3,171 Persons | +13.8% |
| 2000 | 3,198 Persons | +0.9% |
| 2001 | 3,395 Persons | +6.1% |
| 2002 | 3,588 Persons | +5.7% |
| 2003 | 3,504 Persons | -2.3% |
| 2004 | 3,134 Persons | -10.6% |
| 2005 | 2,944 Persons | -6.1% |
| 2006 | 2,751 Persons | -6.6% |
| 2007 | 2,568 Persons | -6.6% |
| 2008 | 2,650 Persons | +3.2% |
| 2009 | 3,356 Persons | +26.6% |
| 2010 | 3,336 Persons | -0.6% |
| 2011 | 3,018 Persons | -9.5% |
| 2012 | 2,848 Persons | -5.7% |
| 2013 | 2,651 Persons | -6.9% |
| 2014 | 2,359 Persons | -11.0% |
| 2015 | 2,219 Persons | -5.9% |
| 2016 | 2,080 Persons | -6.3% |
| 2017 | 1,896 Persons | -8.9% |
| 2018 | 1,673 Persons | -11.7% |
| 2019 | 1,627 Persons | -2.8% |
| 2020 | 1,922 Persons | +18.1% |
| 2021 | 1,946 Persons | +1.3% |
| 2022 | 1,792 Persons | -7.9% |
| 2023 | 1,782 Persons | -0.6% |
| 2024 | 1,763 Persons | -1.1% |
| 2025 | 1,758 Persons | -0.3% |
Japan compared with similar countries
- Japan's 1,758 Persons is above the median for high income countries, which is 336.92 Persons, 5.2× the median. (29 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 947.33 Persons | 834.17 Persons | 1,050 Persons | 5 |
| 1960s | 611.08 Persons | 546.67 Persons | 723.33 Persons | 10 |
| 1970s | 895.25 Persons | 593.33 Persons | 1,238 Persons | 10 |
| 1980s | 1,486 Persons | 1,140 Persons | 1,732 Persons | 10 |
| 1990s | 2,031 Persons | 1,342 Persons | 3,171 Persons | 10 |
| 2000s | 3,109 Persons | 2,568 Persons | 3,588 Persons | 10 |
| 2010s | 2,371 Persons | 1,627 Persons | 3,336 Persons | 10 |
| 2020s | 1,827 Persons | 1,758 Persons | 1,946 Persons | 6 |
Countries ranked near Japan
- 3 Spain 2,608 Persons compare
- 3 Croatia 86.75 Persons compare
- 4 France 2,451 Persons compare
- 4 Türkiye 2,971 Persons compare
- 5 Colombia 2,326 Persons compare
- 5 Poland 558 Persons compare
- 6 Netherlands 396.5 Persons compare
- 7 Lithuania 107.75 Persons compare
- 7 United Kingdom 1,740 Persons compare
- 8 Germany 1,666 Persons compare
- 8 Latvia 65.58 Persons compare
- 9 Estonia 55.92 Persons compare
- 9 Mexico 1,631 Persons compare
More work & labour data for Japan
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.4984 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.5262 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.4728 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -2.25 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate -0.4618 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 103,039 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 5,756 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 39,867 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 36,979 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 76,846 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is monthly unemployment levels in Japan?
- Monthly unemployment levels in Japan was 1,758 Persons in 2025, according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
- What is the highest monthly unemployment levels recorded in Japan?
- The highest recorded value was 3,588 Persons in 2002.
- What is the lowest monthly unemployment levels recorded in Japan?
- The lowest recorded value was 546.67 Persons in 1964.
- How does Japan rank for monthly unemployment levels?
- Japan ranks 6th out of 32 countries with data for 2025.
- Is monthly unemployment levels rising or falling in Japan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 20.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Japan data come from?
- The figures come from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, published as part of Monthly unemployment levels. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The infra-annual dataflow on the monthly unemployed population is a subset of the infra-annual labour statistics database, which contains predominantly monthly and quarterly statistics on the unemployed population by age groups (15+, 15-24, 25-54, 55-64, 15-64 and 15-74 where available) and sex and associated statistical methodological information and associated statistical methodological information, for the OECD member countries and for selected other economies. Chile, Costa Rica, and the United Kingdom publish Labour Force Survey (LFS) data using a rolling quarter methodology. The OECD treats the middle month of the rolling quarter as the reference month. As a result, the publication of monthly LFS data for these countries may be delayed by one month or more relative to the OECD reference month. The unemployed are persons in their working age who, in the reference period, do not have a job; are available for work; and, have taken specific steps to find a job. The infra-annual labour statistics compiled for all OECD member countries, are drawn from Labour Force Surveys based on definition provided by the 19th Conference of Labour Statisticians in 2013. The uniform application of these definitions across all OECD member countries results in estimates that are internationally comparable.