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Italy vs South Korea Unemployment
Italy has posted the higher Unemployment in every published year. In 1991 South Korea stood at roughly 24% of Italy’s Unemployment; today the figure is about 42%, and the pair was closest in 1998 (57%).
| Year | Italy | South Korea | South Korea as % of Italy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 10.1% | 2.41% | 24% |
| 1970 | 10.1% | 2.41% | 24% |
| 1980 | 10.1% | 2.41% | 24% |
| 1990 | 10.1% | 2.41% | 24% |
| 2000 | 10.83% | 4.06% | 38% |
| 2010 | 8.36% | 3.32% | 40% |
| 2020 | 9.19% | 3.93% | 43% |
| 2025 | 6.39% | 2.68% | 42% |
Frequently asked questions
When did Italy move above South Korea in Unemployment?
It has not come to that. Italy has posted the higher Unemployment in every published year (1991–2025).
How do Italy and Korea, Rep. compare today?
Italy is ahead: 6.39% against 2.68% — the trailing economy stands at about 42% 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: