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North Korea: Unemployment (% of labour force, ILO estimate), 1991–2025
Value in 20253.5
Change since 2015+0.6%3.5 (2015)
World rank123 / 1822025
Rank in region13 / 29East Asia & Pacific
World4.8World Bank aggregate
Trend and comparison
Neighbours in the 2025 ranking
3.8
3.7
3.6
3.6
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
Values and rank by year
| Year | Unemployment (% of labour force, ILO estimate) | vs prior year | World rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3.5 | +0.2% | 123 / 182 |
| 2024 | 3.5 | +2.2% | 125 / 182 |
| 2023 | 3.5 | +0.2% | 130 / 184 |
| 2022 | 3.5 | -6.4% | 142 / 186 |
| 2021 | 3.7 | +1.9% | 151 / 187 |
| 2020 | 3.6 | +5.4% | 153 / 187 |
| 2019 | 3.4 | +0.9% | 141 / 187 |
| 2018 | 3.4 | -2.5% | 146 / 187 |
| 2017 | 3.5 | -2.1% | 146 / 187 |
| 2016 | 3.6 | +1.4% | 146 / 187 |
| 2015 | 3.5 | +0.4% | 146 / 187 |
| 2014 | 3.5 | -1.6% | 145 / 187 |
| 2013 | 3.6 | +0.7% | 145 / 187 |
| 2012 | 3.5 | +0.7% | 147 / 187 |
| 2011 | 3.5 | +2.8% | 146 / 187 |
| 2010 | 3.4 | -1.8% | 152 / 187 |
| 2009 | 3.5 | +0.0% | 152 / 187 |
| 2008 | 3.5 | -1.9% | 145 / 187 |
| 2007 | 3.5 | -0.1% | 142 / 187 |
| 2006 | 3.6 | -0.7% | 150 / 187 |
| 2005 | 3.6 | -1.2% | 149 / 187 |
| 2004 | 3.6 | -1.3% | 149 / 187 |
| 2003 | 3.7 | +0.7% | 148 / 187 |
| 2002 | 3.6 | -0.9% | 145 / 187 |
| 2001 | 3.7 | +0.6% | 147 / 187 |
| 2000 | 3.7 | -0.5% | 145 / 187 |
| 1999 | 3.7 | +6.0% | 146 / 187 |
| 1998 | 3.5 | +6.4% | 148 / 187 |
| 1997 | 3.3 | +3.2% | 147 / 187 |
| 1996 | 3.2 | +1.3% | 151 / 187 |
| 1995 | 3.1 | +0.7% | 152 / 187 |
| 1994 | 3.1 | +3.8% | 150 / 187 |
| 1993 | 3.0 | +3.7% | 147 / 187 |
| 1992 | 2.9 | +1.1% | 145 / 187 |
| 1991 | 2.8 | – | 137 / 187 |
- Population
- Life expectancy at birth (years)
- Fertility rate (births per woman)
- Population aged 65 and above (% of total)
- Urban population (% of total)
- Internet users (% of population)
- Surface area (km²)
- Population density (people per km² of land)
Compare North Korea with Japan →
For each indicator and economy the most recent non-empty year is used, so years can differ between countries. Ranks compare only economies that have data. Aggregates (regions, income groups) are excluded from rankings; the world value is shown for reference. Values are as published by the World Bank and are revised several times a year.