Home / Comparisons / Germany vs Japan Unemployment
Germany vs Japan Unemployment
Germany has posted the higher Unemployment in every published year. In 1991 Japan stood at roughly 39% of Germany’s Unemployment; today the figure is about 66%, and the pair was closest in 2023 (85%).
| Year | Germany | Japan | Japan as % of Germany |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 5.32% | 2.06% | 39% |
| 1970 | 5.32% | 2.06% | 39% |
| 1980 | 5.32% | 2.06% | 39% |
| 1990 | 5.32% | 2.06% | 39% |
| 2000 | 7.92% | 4.75% | 60% |
| 2010 | 7.04% | 5.1% | 72% |
| 2020 | 3.88% | 2.81% | 72% |
| 2025 | 3.71% | 2.45% | 66% |
Frequently asked questions
When did Germany move above Japan in Unemployment?
It has not come to that. Germany has posted the higher Unemployment in every published year (1991–2025).
How do Germany and Japan compare today?
Germany is ahead: 3.71% against 2.45% — the trailing economy stands at about 66% 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: