Unemployment rate in Japan

Japan: Unemployment rate was 2.53 in 2031. β–¬ Flat

Latest (2031)
2.53
Change on year
unchanged
World rank
20th
of 22 countries
All-time high
5.36
in 2002
All-time low
2.02
in 1980
Years of data
52
1980–2031

Unemployment rate in Japan, 1980–2031

0246198020052031

Source: International Monetary Fund.

Analysis

The most recent figure for unemployment rate in Japan is 2.53, measured in 2031.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 10.1% over ten years.

Over the whole period, unemployment rate in Japan peaked at 5.36 in 2002 and was at its lowest, 2.02, in 1980.

Japan ranks 20th of 22 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1980s 2.5 2.02 2.85 10
1990s 3.04 2.09 4.67 10
2000s 4.65 3.83 5.36 10
2010s 3.56 2.36 5.06 10
2020s 2.6 2.53 2.82 10
2030s 2.53 2.53 2.53 2

Countries ranked near Japan

  1. 17 Ecuador 3.1 compare
  2. 18 Republic of Korea 2.8 compare
  3. 19 Hong Kong (China) 2.67 compare
  4. 21 Singapore 2.1 compare
  5. 22 Thailand 1 compare

See the full ranking of 22 places β†’

More work & labour data for Japan

All data for Japan β†’

Frequently asked questions

What is unemployment rate in Japan?
Unemployment rate in Japan was 2.53 in 2031, according to International Monetary Fund.
What is the highest unemployment rate recorded in Japan?
The highest recorded value was 5.36 in 2002.
What is the lowest unemployment rate recorded in Japan?
The lowest recorded value was 2.02 in 1980.
How does Japan rank for unemployment rate?
Japan ranks 20th out of 22 countries with data for 2031.
Is unemployment rate rising or falling in Japan?
Over the last ten years it is down 10.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
Where does this Japan data come from?
The figures come from International Monetary Fund, published as part of Unemployment rate (9/26/2025). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Unemployment rate in Japan. Statizoid, drawing on International Monetary Fund. Retrieved 20 August 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/unemployment-rate-9-26-2025/japan/

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About this data

Indicator
Unemployment rate (9/26/2025)
Source
International Monetary Fund
Licence
IMF Terms and Conditions (attribution required)
Coverage
22 places, 903 data points, 1980–2031
Last refreshed

The World Economic Outlook (WEO) database is created during the biannual WEO exercise, which begins in January and June of each year and results in the April and September/October WEO publication. Selected series from the publication are available in a database format.