Unemployment rates are a critical barometer of economic health, especially within the G20, which represents about 85% of global GDP. The latest data reveals stark contrasts between member nations, highlighting diverse economic challenges and labor market conditions. Here’s a breakdown of where major economies stand.
#### **📊 G20 Unemployment Rate Rankings**
| Rank | Country / Region | Unemployment Rate |
| :---- | :-------------------- | :---------------- |
| 1 | **South Africa** | **31.9%** |
| 2 | Turkey | 8.5% |
| 3 | France | 7.7% |
| 4 | Argentina | 7.6% |
| 5 | Canada | 6.5% |
| 6 | Euro Area (average) | 6.4% |
| 7 | Germany | 6.3% |
| 8 | Italy | 6.0% |
| 9 | Brazil | 5.4% |
| 10 | China | 5.1% |
| 11 | United Kingdom | 5.1% |
| 12 | Indonesia | 4.9% |
| 13 | India | 4.7% |
| 14 | United States | 4.6% |
| 15 | Australia | 4.3% |
| 16 | Saudi Arabia | N/A |
| 17 | **South Korea** | **2.7%** |
| 18 | Mexico | 2.6% |
| 19 | Japan | 2.6% |
| 20 | **Russia** | **2.2%** |
*Source: Trading Economics (Latest Available Data)*
#### **🔍 Key Observations & Analysis**
1. **The Extreme Outlier:** South Africa's staggering 31.9% rate is a severe outlier, reflecting deep structural issues, socioeconomic inequality, and a persistent youth unemployment crisis.
2. **The Low-Unemployment Cluster:** A distinct group, including Russia (2.2%), Japan (2.6%), Mexico (2.6%), and South Korea (2.7%), boasts remarkably low rates. This often indicates tight labor markets but can also mask issues like underemployment, a large informal sector, or demographic pressures.
3. **Major Economies in the Middle:** The core engines of the global economy—the United States (4.6%), China (5.1%), and the United Kingdom (5.1%)—cluster in the mid-range, showing moderate but manageable labor market slack.
4. **The European Context:** While individual nations like France (7.7%) and Italy (6.0%) show higher stress, the Euro Area average (6.4%) suggests a mixed recovery across the bloc, with Germany (6.3%) facing recent headwinds.
5. **Emerging Economies:** Nations like India (4.7%) and Indonesia (4.9%) maintain relatively low unemployment, pointing to resilient economic growth and labor absorption capacity.
#### **💭 Final Thoughts**
This ranking is more than just a list; it tells a story of divergent economic realities. While low unemployment is a positive sign, it must be viewed alongside indicators of job quality, wage growth, and labor force participation. Conversely, extremely high rates, as seen in South Africa, signal a need for profound structural reform. For policymakers worldwide, the goal remains not just creating jobs, but fostering resilient, inclusive, and high-quality employment for sustainable growth.
*Note: Data for Saudi Arabia was not available in the provided source. Figures are subject to different national measurement methodologies.*
