Unemployment, total
Unemployment, total
https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
| Title | Unemployment, total |
| Unit of measure | Percentage of total labour force |
| Source data | World Bank |
| Original data source | International Labour Organization (ILO): modelled estimates database (ILOSTAT) |
| Statistical concepts and definition | Unemployed individuals are defined as those not currently working but actively seeking work recently and ready to start work. This includes those temporarily out of work, whether from job loss or voluntary departure, and those with upcoming job arrangements. Unemployment, to some degree, is normal due to job transitions and the labour market's dynamics, with the labour force serving as the base for unemployment indicators, not the total population. |
| Relevance | Contrastingly, low unemployment rates may not accurately reflect a country's poverty level, while high rates can exist alongside economic prosperity and low poverty. In nations lacking unemployment benefits, people often rely on precarious jobs for income. Conversely, in countries with robust social safety nets, individuals can wait for preferred employment opportunities. Persistent high unemployment suggests inefficiencies in utilizing resources. Youth unemployment poses a significant challenge, affecting their economic participation and societal contribution. Underutilized youth face hurdles in development and civic engagement, impacting consumer spending, savings, and social change advocacy. Moreover, widespread youth unemployment hampers innovation and human capital investment, detracting from national and business competitiveness. |
| Time coverage | Annual |
| Sector coverage | Economic |
| Data compilation | The definition of actively seeking work and the classification of individuals temporarily unemployed or entering the job market for the first time differ internationally. Measuring employment and unemployment, particularly in agriculture, presents challenges due to potential seasonal fluctuations captured by survey timings. Additionally, quantifying informal sector employment is complex due to its unregulated nature. Some individuals outside the labour market may desire work but do not actively seek employment due to perceived job scarcity, mobility restrictions, discrimination, or structural, social, and cultural obstacles. This group, often referred to as the "hidden unemployed" or "discouraged workers," is not included in unemployment statistics, impacting both genders. However, women are disproportionately represented in this category, facing greater hurdles from discrimination and structural barriers to workforce participation. |
| Relationship* | 1 |
* This field expresses the impact on vulnerability. The minus sign indicates that it has a vulnerability-decreasing impact (positive impact on resilience), and the plus sign indicates a vulnerability-increasing impact.