United Arab Emirates: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate)
In , United Arab Emirates's Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) was 2.17.
That's up 0.6% from 2024, the highest value since .
The global average for this indicator in 2025 was 6.73 . United Arab Emirates ranks #164 globally out of 182 reporting countries. Within Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, it ranks #19 of 21.
Source: World Bank Open Data (SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS) • Data as of 2025
Trend (2006–2025)
- 2008 · Global financial crisis
- 2020 · COVID-19 pandemic
Highlights
- Peak
- 4.29
- Trough
- 1.64
- 1-year change
- +0.6%
- 5-year change
- -49.4%
- -12.7% / yr
- 10-year change
- +21.2%
- +1.9% / yr
Historical Data — Last 10 Years
| Year | Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) |
|---|---|
| 2.1740 | |
| 2.1600 | |
| 2.1510 | |
| 2.8720 | |
| 3.1050 | |
| 4.2940 | |
| 2.3310 | |
| 2.2360 | |
| 2.4620 | |
| 1.6400 |
About Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate)
Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment.
Indicator code: SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS • Category: Labor & Business
Frequently asked questions
- What was United Arab Emirates's Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) in 2025?
- In 2025, United Arab Emirates's Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) was 2.17, according to World Bank Open Data.
- Is United Arab Emirates's Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) rising or falling?
- United Arab Emirates's Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) rose 0.6% from 2024 to 2025.
- How does United Arab Emirates rank globally on Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate)?
- In 2025, United Arab Emirates ranked #164 out of 182 countries reporting Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate).
- How does United Arab Emirates's Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) compare to the world average?
- The global average for Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) in 2025 was 6.73, so United Arab Emirates is below the world average. Within Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, it ranks #19 of 21.
- What is Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) and how is it measured?
- Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment.
Source: World Bank Open Data (SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS), CC BY 4.0.