Female unemployment — all countries

Female unemployment — Europe & Central Asia

Female unemployment in Europe & Central Asia in 2025 — 5.66%. Since 1991, the indicator has fallen by 1.96 pp.

2025 5.66% +0.01 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 11.72%1998
Period minimum 5.64%2024

Trend over time

1991–2025 · % of female labor force

Female unemployment — Europe & Central Asia, 1991–2025468101219911995199920032007201120152019202320251991: 7.62%1992: 8.14%1993: 9.25%1994: 10.32%1995: 10.76%1996: 11.08%1997: 11.46%1998: 11.72%1999: 11.5%2000: 10.58%2001: 9.66%2002: 9.5%2003: 9.46%2004: 9.41%2005: 9.14%2006: 8.55%2007: 7.54%2008: 7.38%2009: 8.76%2010: 8.93%2011: 8.76%2012: 9%2013: 9.2%2014: 8.87%2015: 8.54%2016: 8.09%2017: 7.54%2018: 6.99%2019: 6.73%2020: 7.18%2021: 7.13%2022: 6.15%2023: 5.87%2024: 5.64%2025: 5.66%
Change over the period: −1.96 pp Annual average: -0.06 pp

Comparison, 2025

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Europe & Central Asia

Europe & Central Asia 5.66%
World 4.94%
Female unemployment — Europe & Central Asia, by year Europe & Central Asia All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 5.66 +0.01 pp
2024 5.64 −0.22 pp
2023 5.87 −0.28 pp
2022 6.15 −0.98 pp
2021 7.13 −0.05 pp
2020 7.18 +0.45 pp
2019 6.73 −0.26 pp
2018 6.99 −0.55 pp
2017 7.54 −0.54 pp
2016 8.09 −0.45 pp
2015 8.54 −0.33 pp
2014 8.87 −0.33 pp
2013 9.2 +0.2 pp
2012 9 +0.23 pp
2011 8.76 −0.16 pp
2010 8.93 +0.17 pp
2009 8.76 +1.37 pp
2008 7.38 −0.15 pp
2007 7.54 −1.02 pp
2006 8.55 −0.59 pp
2005 9.14 −0.26 pp
2004 9.41 −0.05 pp
2003 9.46 −0.04 pp
2002 9.5 −0.16 pp
2001 9.66 −0.92 pp
2000 10.58 −0.92 pp
1999 11.5 −0.22 pp
1998 11.72 +0.25 pp
1997 11.46 +0.38 pp
1996 11.08 +0.32 pp
1995 10.76 +0.44 pp
1994 10.32 +1.07 pp
1993 9.25 +1.11 pp
1992 8.14 +0.52 pp
1991 7.62

About the indicator

The share of the female labor force that is unemployed. The gap with male unemployment reflects both the structure of labor demand and the barriers women face in reaching employment. In some countries the indicator looks favorable only because many women are outside the labor force altogether — it should be read alongside female labor force participation.

Source: ILOSTAT (ILO), license CC BY 4.0.