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France vs Saudi Arabia Unemployment
France has posted the higher Unemployment in every published year. In 1991 Saudi Arabia stood at roughly 80% of France’s Unemployment; today the figure is about 40%, and the pair was closest in 2020 (96%).
| Year | France | Saudi Arabia | Saudi Arabia as % of France |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 9.13% | 7.32% | 80% |
| 1970 | 9.13% | 7.32% | 80% |
| 1980 | 9.13% | 7.32% | 80% |
| 1990 | 9.13% | 7.32% | 80% |
| 2000 | 10.22% | 4.57% | 45% |
| 2010 | 9.28% | 5.55% | 60% |
| 2020 | 8.01% | 7.66% | 96% |
| 2025 | 7.54% | 3.04% | 40% |
Frequently asked questions
When did France move above Saudi Arabia in Unemployment?
It has not come to that. France has posted the higher Unemployment in every published year (1991–2025).
How do France and Saudi Arabia compare today?
France is ahead: 7.54% against 3.04% — the trailing economy stands at about 40% of the leader.
Are these Unemployment figures nominal or adjusted?
The series is a share expressed in % of total labor force, exactly as the World Bank publishes it; movements are percentage points, not percent.
Full series
Every published year for both economies, with charts, downloads and citations: