Unemployment rate (ILO modelled estimates) in Western Europe
Western Europe: Unemployment rate (ILO modelled estimates) was 5.28 in 2027. ▼ Falling
Unemployment rate (ILO modelled estimates) in Western Europe, 1991–2027
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
The most recent figure for unemployment rate (ilo modelled estimates) in Western Europe is 5.28, measured in 2027.
The figure is down 1.0% on the previous year and down 11.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment rate (ilo modelled estimates) in Western Europe peaked at 9.74 in 1997 and was at its lowest, 4.73, in 2023.
Western Europe ranks 38th of 87 groups on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 37 years of available data.
Unemployment rate (ILO modelled estimates) in Western Europe, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 6.5 | — |
| 1992 | 7.15 | +10.0% |
| 1993 | 8.33 | +16.6% |
| 1994 | 9.33 | +12.0% |
| 1995 | 8.84 | -5.3% |
| 1996 | 9.31 | +5.3% |
| 1997 | 9.74 | +4.6% |
| 1998 | 9.45 | -3.0% |
| 1999 | 8.83 | -6.5% |
| 2000 | 7.65 | -13.3% |
| 2001 | 6.97 | -8.9% |
| 2002 | 7.45 | +6.9% |
| 2003 | 8.11 | +8.8% |
| 2004 | 8.87 | +9.4% |
| 2005 | 9.24 | +4.2% |
| 2006 | 8.69 | -6.0% |
| 2007 | 7.58 | -12.8% |
| 2008 | 6.71 | -11.4% |
| 2009 | 7.63 | +13.6% |
| 2010 | 7.41 | -2.9% |
| 2011 | 6.82 | -7.9% |
| 2012 | 6.87 | +0.7% |
| 2013 | 7.09 | +3.1% |
| 2014 | 7.08 | -0.1% |
| 2015 | 6.89 | -2.7% |
| 2016 | 6.46 | -6.2% |
| 2017 | 5.93 | -8.2% |
| 2018 | 5.44 | -8.2% |
| 2019 | 5.04 | -7.4% |
| 2020 | 5.35 | +6.0% |
| 2021 | 5.34 | -0.1% |
| 2022 | 4.74 | -11.2% |
| 2023 | 4.73 | -0.2% |
| 2024 | 4.94 | +4.3% |
| 2025 | 5.2 | +5.2% |
| 2026 | 5.33 | +2.6% |
| 2027 | 5.28 | -1.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 8.61 | 6.5 | 9.74 | 9 |
| 2000s | 7.89 | 6.71 | 9.24 | 10 |
| 2010s | 6.5 | 5.04 | 7.41 | 10 |
| 2020s | 5.11 | 4.73 | 5.35 | 8 |
Countries ranked near Western Europe
- 35 New Caledonia 10.51 compare
- 36 Mauritania 10.41 compare
- 37 Nepal 10.27 compare
- 38 Ukraine 9.83 compare
- 39 Spain 9.68 compare
- 40 Saint Lucia 9.56 compare
- 41 Bahamas 9.52 compare
More work & labour data for Western Europe
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 91,861 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.0615 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.0749 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.0476 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -1.77 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.1881 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 173,621 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 25,875 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 93,457 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 185,317 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment rate (ilo modelled estimates) in Western Europe?
- Unemployment rate (ilo modelled estimates) in Western Europe was 5.28 in 2027, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest unemployment rate (ilo modelled estimates) recorded in Western Europe?
- The highest recorded value was 9.74 in 1997.
- What is the lowest unemployment rate (ilo modelled estimates) recorded in Western Europe?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.73 in 2023.
- How does Western Europe rank for unemployment rate (ilo modelled estimates)?
- Western Europe ranks 38th out of 87 groups with data for 2027.
- Is unemployment rate (ilo modelled estimates) rising or falling in Western Europe?
- Over the last ten years it is down 11.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Western Europe data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Unemployment rate (ILO modelled estimates) (15+). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 37 observations, free to reuse under ILO Terms of Use (attribution required).
About this data
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. The unemployment rate conveys the number of persons who are unemployed as a percent of the labour force (i.e., the employed plus the unemployed). The unemployed comprise all persons of working age who were: a) without work during the reference period, i.e. were not in paid employment or self-employment; b) currently available for work, i.e. were available for paid employment or self-employment during the reference period; and c) seeking work, i.e. had taken specific steps in a specified recent period to seek paid employment or self-employment. For more information, refer to the ILO Modelled Estimates (ILOEST) database description.