Unemployment ranking 1996 — the top 20 economies
The twenty largest economies by Unemployment Rate in 1996, ranked by the exact World Bank figures. The leader: North Macedonia (38.8%). A total of 187 economies reported a value that year.
| # | Country | % of total labor force (1996) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Macedonia | 38.8% |
| 2 | Montenegro | 30.17% |
| 3 | Algeria | 28.27% |
| 4 | Djibouti | 27.17% |
| 5 | Belarus | 24.4% |
| 6 | Namibia | 22.84% |
| 7 | South Africa | 22.5% |
| 8 | Spain | 22.14% |
| 9 | Eswatini | 22.07% |
| 10 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 21.68% |
| 11 | Botswana | 21.59% |
| 12 | Latvia | 20.7% |
| 13 | St. Vincent and the Grenadines | 20.34% |
| 14 | Congo, Rep. | 20.05% |
| 15 | Somalia, Fed. Rep. | 19.46% |
| 16 | Libya | 19.21% |
| 17 | New Caledonia | 18.64% |
| 18 | Gabon | 17.33% |
| 19 | Argentina | 17.11% |
| 20 | Lithuania | 16.4% |
Where are they now?
The top five of 1996 and their rank in the latest published year:
| Country | Rank in 1996 | Rank today |
|---|---|---|
| North Macedonia | #24 | #24 |
| Montenegro | #19 | #19 |
| Algeria | #29 | #29 |
| Djibouti | #3 | #3 |
| Belarus | #133 | #133 |
Other years
Frequently asked questions
Which country had the largest Unemployment in 1996?
North Macedonia, with 38.8% (% of total labor force).
How many countries are included?
187 economies reported a value for SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS in 1996. Coverage widens over time — earlier years include fewer reporting economies.