United States: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate)
In , United States's Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) was 4.20.
That's up 4.4% from 2024, the highest value since .
The global average for this indicator in 2025 was 6.73 . United States ranks #113 globally out of 182 reporting countries. Within North America, it ranks #2 of 2.
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
- 9.63
- Trough
- 3.64
- 1-year change
- +4.4%
- 5-year change
- -47.9%
- -12.2% / yr
- 10-year change
- -20.5%
- -2.3% / yr
Historical Data — Last 10 Years
| Year | Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) |
|---|---|
| 4.1980 | |
| 4.0220 | |
| 3.6380 | |
| 3.6500 | |
| 5.3490 | |
| 8.0550 | |
| 3.6690 | |
| 3.8960 | |
| 4.3550 | |
| 4.8690 |
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 States's Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) in 2025?
- In 2025, United States's Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) was 4.20, according to World Bank Open Data.
- Is United States's Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) rising or falling?
- United States's Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) rose 4.4% from 2024 to 2025.
- How does United States rank globally on Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate)?
- In 2025, United States ranked #113 out of 182 countries reporting Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate).
- How does United States'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 States is below the world average. Within North America, it ranks #2 of 2.
- 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.