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UK vs Spain Unemployment
Spain has posted the higher Unemployment in every published year. In 1991 United Kingdom stood at roughly 54% of Spain’s Unemployment; today the figure is about 46%, and the pair was closest in 2007 (66%).
| Year | United Kingdom | Spain | Spain as % of UK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 15.93% | 8.55% | 54% |
| 1970 | 15.93% | 8.55% | 54% |
| 1980 | 15.93% | 8.55% | 54% |
| 1990 | 15.93% | 8.55% | 54% |
| 2000 | 13.79% | 5.56% | 40% |
| 2010 | 19.86% | 7.97% | 40% |
| 2020 | 15.53% | 4.47% | 29% |
| 2025 | 10.38% | 4.75% | 46% |
Frequently asked questions
When did Spain move above United Kingdom in Unemployment?
It has not come to that. Spain has posted the higher Unemployment in every published year (1991–2025).
How do United Kingdom and Spain compare today?
Spain is ahead: 10.38% against 4.75% — the trailing economy stands at about 46% 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: