Unemployment rate in Israel
Israel: Unemployment rate was 3.5% in 2025. ▼ Falling
Unemployment rate in Israel, 1991–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for unemployment rate in Israel is 3.5%, measured in 2025.
The figure is down 2.9% on the previous year and down 32.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment rate in Israel peaked at 14.1% in 1992 and was at its lowest, 3.4%, in 2023.
That places Israel 130th out of 186 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 35 years of available data.
Unemployment rate in Israel, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 13.4% | — |
| 1992 | 14.1% | +5.2% |
| 1993 | 12.7% | -9.5% |
| 1994 | 9.9% | -22.0% |
| 1995 | 8.8% | -11.6% |
| 1996 | 8.5% | -3.7% |
| 1997 | 9.8% | +15.3% |
| 1998 | 10.7% | +10.2% |
| 1999 | 11.2% | +4.0% |
| 2000 | 11.1% | -0.7% |
| 2001 | 11.8% | +6.4% |
| 2002 | 12.9% | +9.1% |
| 2003 | 13.5% | +4.8% |
| 2004 | 13.0% | -3.5% |
| 2005 | 11.3% | -12.9% |
| 2006 | 10.7% | -5.6% |
| 2007 | 9.4% | -12.4% |
| 2008 | 7.7% | -17.9% |
| 2009 | 9.5% | +23.8% |
| 2010 | 8.5% | -11.1% |
| 2011 | 7.1% | -15.8% |
| 2012 | 6.8% | -5.3% |
| 2013 | 6.1% | -9.2% |
| 2014 | 5.8% | -5.7% |
| 2015 | 5.2% | -10.6% |
| 2016 | 4.7% | -8.8% |
| 2017 | 4.1% | -12.3% |
| 2018 | 3.9% | -5.4% |
| 2019 | 3.7% | -4.7% |
| 2020 | 4.2% | +11.7% |
| 2021 | 4.8% | +15.4% |
| 2022 | 3.7% | -23.2% |
| 2023 | 3.4% | -8.8% |
| 2024 | 3.6% | +6.6% |
| 2025 | 3.5% | -2.9% |
Israel compared with similar countries
- Israel's 3.5% is below the median for high income countries, which is 5.0%, 69% of the median. (62 countries reporting)
- Israel's 3.5% is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 9.0%, 39% of the median. (23 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 11.0% | 8.5% | 14.1% | 9 |
| 2000s | 11.1% | 7.7% | 13.5% | 10 |
| 2010s | 5.6% | 3.7% | 8.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | 3.9% | 3.4% | 4.8% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Israel
- 127 North Korea 3.5% compare
- 128 Bulgaria 3.5% compare
- 129 Kyrgyzstan 3.5% compare
- 131 Burkina Faso 3.5% compare
- 132 Belarus 3.4% compare
- 133 Trinidad and Tobago 3.3% compare
More work & labour data for Israel
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.4941 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.4851 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.5042 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -0.72 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 1.1 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 11,997 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 579.95 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 9,762 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 9,985 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 19,747 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment rate in Israel?
- Unemployment rate in Israel was 3.5% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest unemployment rate recorded in Israel?
- The highest recorded value was 14.1% in 1992.
- What is the lowest unemployment rate recorded in Israel?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.4% in 2023.
- How does Israel rank for unemployment rate?
- Israel ranks 130th out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment rate rising or falling in Israel?
- Over the last ten years it is down 32.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Israel data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Unemployment rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the labor force without work, but actively looking for a job and available to start soon.