Unemployment ranking 2016 — the top 20 economies
The twenty largest economies by Unemployment Rate in 2016, ranked by the exact World Bank figures. The leader: South Africa (26.54%). A total of 187 economies reported a value that year.
| # | Country | % of total labor force (2016) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa | 26.54% |
| 2 | Djibouti | 25.98% |
| 3 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 25.41% |
| 4 | North Macedonia | 24.31% |
| 5 | West Bank and Gaza | 23.94% |
| 6 | Greece | 23.51% |
| 7 | Namibia | 23.35% |
| 8 | Eswatini | 22.72% |
| 9 | Congo, Rep. | 20.3% |
| 10 | Gabon | 20.12% |
| 11 | St. Lucia | 19.93% |
| 12 | Spain | 19.64% |
| 13 | Libya | 19.56% |
| 14 | Botswana | 19.33% |
| 15 | St. Vincent and the Grenadines | 19.03% |
| 16 | Somalia, Fed. Rep. | 18.61% |
| 17 | Yemen, Rep. | 18.42% |
| 18 | Montenegro | 17.73% |
| 19 | Armenia | 17.62% |
| 20 | Georgia | 16.6% |
Where are they now?
The top five of 2016 and their rank in the latest published year:
| Country | Rank in 2016 | Rank today |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | #2 | #2 |
| Djibouti | #3 | #3 |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | #33 | #33 |
| North Macedonia | #24 | #24 |
| West Bank and Gaza | #5 | #5 |
Other years
Frequently asked questions
Which country had the largest Unemployment in 2016?
South Africa, with 26.54% (% of total labor force).
How many countries are included?
187 economies reported a value for SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS in 2016. Coverage widens over time — earlier years include fewer reporting economies.