Unemployment ranking 2021 — the top 20 economies
The twenty largest economies by Unemployment Rate in 2021, ranked by the exact World Bank figures. The leader: Eswatini (34.15%). A total of 187 economies reported a value that year.
| # | Country | % of total labor force (2021) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eswatini | 34.15% |
| 2 | South Africa | 34.01% |
| 3 | Djibouti | 27.63% |
| 4 | West Bank and Gaza | 26.39% |
| 5 | Botswana | 23.11% |
| 6 | Congo, Rep. | 22% |
| 7 | Gabon | 21.22% |
| 8 | Namibia | 20.93% |
| 9 | St. Lucia | 20.51% |
| 10 | St. Vincent and the Grenadines | 20.36% |
| 11 | Jordan | 19.84% |
| 12 | Libya | 19.78% |
| 13 | Somalia, Fed. Rep. | 19.66% |
| 14 | Yemen, Rep. | 18.31% |
| 15 | Lesotho | 18.21% |
| 16 | Tunisia | 16.63% |
| 17 | Montenegro | 16.54% |
| 18 | Iraq | 16.17% |
| 19 | North Macedonia | 15.8% |
| 20 | Angola | 15.8% |
Where are they now?
The top five of 2021 and their rank in the latest published year:
| Country | Rank in 2021 | Rank today |
|---|---|---|
| Eswatini | #1 | #1 |
| South Africa | #2 | #2 |
| Djibouti | #3 | #3 |
| West Bank and Gaza | #5 | #5 |
| Botswana | #4 | #4 |
Other years
Frequently asked questions
Which country had the largest Unemployment in 2021?
Eswatini, with 34.15% (% of total labor force).
How many countries are included?
187 economies reported a value for SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS in 2021. Coverage widens over time — earlier years include fewer reporting economies.