At a glance

Global employment trends: Facts and figures

Key facts and figures
The number of unemployed worldwide rose by 3.9 million in 2013 to almost 200 million, a 6 per cent unemployment rate. Some 23 million workers have dropped out of the labour market. The number of jobseekers is expected to rise by more than 13 million by 2019. Some 73.8 million people in the 15 to 24 age group were unemployed in 2013, a 13 per cent youth unemployment rate. Around 830 million workers lived with their families on less than US$2 in 2013. Some 370 million workers lived with their families on less than $1.25 a day in 2013.

Key facts and figures

The number of unemployed worldwide rose by 3.9 million in 2013 to almost 200 million, a 6 per cent unemployment rate.
Some 23 million workers have dropped out of the labour market.
The number of jobseekers is expected to rise by more than 13 million by 2019.
Some 73.8 million people in the 15 to 24 age group were unemployed in 2013, a 13 per cent youth unemployment rate.
Around 830 million workers lived with their families on less than US$2 in 2013.
Some 370 million workers lived with their families on less than $1.25 a day in 2013.

Trends across regions
In the Developed Economies and the European Union, labour market conditions showed only little signs of improvement during 2013. In Central and South-Eastern Europe (non-EU) and CIS countries, the fall in unemployment recorded since the crisis peak of 2009 was reversed in 2013. In Latin America and the Caribbean, employment growth continued to outpace labour force expansion. In East Asia, employment growth remained weak, consistent with weak labour force growth. In South-East Asia and the Pacific, employment expanded by 1.5 per cent in 2013 and is projected to be broadly in line with growth in the labour force in the coming years. In South Asia, labour markets continued to suffer from high rates of informal/agricultural employment where jobs are poorly paid and unprotected. In the Middle East and North Africa, the economic growth rate in 2013 proved too low to generate sufficient employment opportunities for a fast growing population, and unemployment remained the highest in the world. In Sub-Saharan Africa, paid employment opportunities are scarce and the vulnerable employment rate, at 77.4 per cent in 2013, remained the highest of all regions.

Trends across regions

In the Developed Economies and the European Union, labour market conditions showed only little signs of improvement during 2013.
In Central and South-Eastern Europe (non-EU) and CIS countries, the fall in unemployment recorded since the crisis peak of 2009 was reversed in 2013.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, employment growth continued to outpace labour force expansion.
In East Asia, employment growth remained weak, consistent with weak labour force growth.
In South-East Asia and the Pacific, employment expanded by 1.5 per cent in 2013 and is projected to be broadly in line with growth in the labour force in the coming years.
In South Asia, labour markets continued to suffer from high rates of informal/agricultural employment where jobs are poorly paid and unprotected.
In the Middle East and North Africa, the economic growth rate in 2013 proved too low to generate sufficient employment opportunities for a fast growing population, and unemployment remained the highest in the world.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, paid employment opportunities are scarce and the vulnerable employment rate, at 77.4 per cent in 2013, remained the highest of all regions.

Source: ILO, Trends Econometric Models, April 2014.

Type:	Fact sheet
Date issued:	27 May 2014

ILO