Unemployment ranking 2017 — the top 20 economies
The twenty largest economies by Unemployment Rate in 2017, ranked by the exact World Bank figures. The leader: South Africa (27.04%). A total of 187 economies reported a value that year.
| # | Country | % of total labor force (2017) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa | 27.04% |
| 2 | Djibouti | 26.06% |
| 3 | West Bank and Gaza | 25.68% |
| 4 | Eswatini | 24.54% |
| 5 | North Macedonia | 22.86% |
| 6 | Namibia | 21.75% |
| 7 | Greece | 21.41% |
| 8 | Congo, Rep. | 20.74% |
| 9 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 20.53% |
| 10 | Gabon | 20.31% |
| 11 | Botswana | 19.67% |
| 12 | St. Lucia | 19.14% |
| 13 | Libya | 19.05% |
| 14 | St. Vincent and the Grenadines | 19.02% |
| 15 | Yemen, Rep. | 18.61% |
| 16 | Somalia, Fed. Rep. | 18.45% |
| 17 | Jordan | 18.12% |
| 18 | Armenia | 17.7% |
| 19 | Spain | 17.22% |
| 20 | Angola | 16.62% |
Where are they now?
The top five of 2017 and their rank in the latest published year:
| Country | Rank in 2017 | Rank today |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | #2 | #2 |
| Djibouti | #3 | #3 |
| West Bank and Gaza | #5 | #5 |
| Eswatini | #1 | #1 |
| North Macedonia | #24 | #24 |
Other years
Frequently asked questions
Which country had the largest Unemployment in 2017?
South Africa, with 27.04% (% of total labor force).
How many countries are included?
187 economies reported a value for SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS in 2017. Coverage widens over time — earlier years include fewer reporting economies.