Unemployment is a major global issue that affects millions of people around the world. The International Labour Organization (ILO) forecasts that the global unemployment rate will stay at 4.9% in 2025, the same as in 2024. Several countries, including Sudan, South Africa, Georgia, and Armenia, are forecasted to have the highest unemployment rates globally in 2025.
Additionally, European countries like Georgia, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Spain are also expected to have unemployment rates above 10% in 2025. Many of these countries are dealing with economic challenges, political instability, or limited industrial base.
Countries With the Highest Unemployment Rates
The following table represents the countries with the highest unemployment rates globally.
| Rank | Country | Unemployment Rate (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sudan | 55.7 |
| 2 | South Africa | 33.9 |
| 3 | Georgia | 14.5 |
| 4 | Armenia | 13.5 |
| 5 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 13.2 |
| 6 | North Macedonia | 12.8 |
| 7 | Ukraine | 12.7 |
| 8 | Morocco | 12.6 |
| 9 | Spain | 11.2 |
| 10 | Albania | 10.7 |
The data is sourced from the International Monetary Fund.
Three African countries—Sudan, South Africa, and Morocco—are forecasted to have some of the highest unemployment rates in 2025. Besides Africa, Europe is another major region with high unemployment rates. Countries like Georgia, Armenia, Bosnia, and Herzegovina, and Spain are also forecasted to face unemployment rates above 10%.
Sudan
Sudan is forxasted to have the highest unemployment rate of approximately 55% globally. One of the major causes of high unemployment in Sudan is its continuous struggle with political instability, economic sanctions, and internal conflicts for many years. A large part of Sudan’s population is unemployed due to limited access to quality education and job skills.
Moreover, the secession of South Sudan in 2011 resulted in Sudan losing much of its oil revenue, which further created the economic challanges for the country. Additionally, high inflation and ongoing political tensions have made it hard for many businesses to grow and create jobs in the country. All of these factors contributed to high unemployment rate in Sudan.
South Africa
South Africa, with a population of about 64 million, is projected to face the 2nd highest unemployment rate of about 33% in the world. The country has faced unemployment problems for a long time due to its deep-rooted inequality and the effects of apartheid. After apartheid ended in 1994, the country has faced challenges in creating enough jobs for its growing population. The situation worsened after the 2008 global financial crisis and the recent COVID-19 pandemic, which led to massive job losses in the tourism and manufacturing sectors of the country.
Georgia
Georgia is forecasted to have an unemployment rate of 14% in 2025. In the early 2000s, unemployment was a big problem in Georgia due to the country’s shift from a Soviet bloc to a market economy. Recently, economic reforms and foreign investments have created jobs in tourism, farming, and technology sectors. However, rural areas still face higher unemployment rates due to fewer resources and opportunities available for the rural population.
Armenia
Armenia has an unemployment rate of 13%, which has stayed steady in recent years. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Armenia faced a high unemployment rate due to its declined output. However, the IT sector has recently become a strong driver of employment in the country. Additionally, the rural areas and regions affected by conflicts, like Nagorno-Karabakh are still facing the obstacles to creating enough jobs for the majority of the population.
Ukraine
According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ukraine is forcasted to experience unemployment rate is about 14% in 2025. The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and political instability have caused significant damage in the country. Many industries, infrastructure, and businesses have been destroyed. This has slowed economic growth and discouraged investments in the country, making it harder for people to find jobs.
Additionally, countries like Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Morocco, Spain, and Albania are also set to face high unemployment rates in 2025. All of these countries are forecasted to face unemployment rates above 10%.
The Bottom 10 Countries
The following table represents the countries with the lowest unemployment rates globally.
| Rank | Country | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thailand | 1 |
| 2 | Andorra | 1.6 |
| 3 | Macao SAR | 1.8 |
| 4 | Singapore | 1.9 |
| 5 | Vietnam | 2 |
| 6 | Switzerland | 2.5 |
| 7 | Japan | 2.5 |
| 8 | Czech Republic | 2.5 |
| 9 | Hong Kong SAR | 2.7 |
| 10 | Belarus | 2.9 |
Source: International Monetary Fund
Countries like Thailand, Andorra, Macao SAR, and Singapore having some of the lowest unemployment rates in the world. These nations benefit from their strong economies and effective policies which drive investment and employment opportunities.
Conclusion
Unemployment is major global isse. International Labour Organization (ILO) forecasts that the global unemployment rate will be 4.9% in 2025. According to the World economic Forum, the global unemployment rate of 4.9% stands at the lowest level since 1991. Historically, the 2008 financial crisis caused many people around the world to lose their jobs. More recently, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a sharp rise in unemployment in many countries as lockdowns and disruptions forced businesses to close and millions to lose their livelihoods.
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