Female unemployment — all countries

Female unemployment — European Union

Female unemployment in the European Union in 2025 — 6.22%. Since 1991, the indicator has fallen by 4.37 pp.

2025 6.22% +0.07 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 13.42%1994
Period minimum 6.15%2024

Trend over time

1991–2025 · % of female labor force

Female unemployment — European Union, 1991–20256810121419911995199920032007201120152019202320251991: 10.59%1992: 11.27%1993: 12.71%1994: 13.42%1995: 13.12%1996: 13.05%1997: 12.81%1998: 12.42%1999: 11.91%2000: 11.37%2001: 10.57%2002: 10.73%2003: 10.71%2004: 10.79%2005: 10.67%2006: 9.71%2007: 8.39%2008: 7.97%2009: 9.39%2010: 10.03%2011: 10.17%2012: 11.06%2013: 11.48%2014: 11.02%2015: 10.17%2016: 9.36%2017: 8.43%2018: 7.55%2019: 7%2020: 7.36%2021: 7.34%2022: 6.52%2023: 6.34%2024: 6.15%2025: 6.22%
Change over the period: −4.37 pp Annual average: -0.13 pp

Comparison, 2025

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: European Union

European Union 6.22%
World 4.94%
Female unemployment — European Union, by year European Union All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 6.22 +0.07 pp
2024 6.15 −0.19 pp
2023 6.34 −0.17 pp
2022 6.52 −0.83 pp
2021 7.34 −0.01 pp
2020 7.36 +0.36 pp
2019 7 −0.55 pp
2018 7.55 −0.88 pp
2017 8.43 −0.93 pp
2016 9.36 −0.81 pp
2015 10.17 −0.85 pp
2014 11.02 −0.46 pp
2013 11.48 +0.42 pp
2012 11.06 +0.89 pp
2011 10.17 +0.14 pp
2010 10.03 +0.65 pp
2009 9.39 +1.42 pp
2008 7.97 −0.42 pp
2007 8.39 −1.32 pp
2006 9.71 −0.96 pp
2005 10.67 −0.12 pp
2004 10.79 +0.08 pp
2003 10.71 −0.02 pp
2002 10.73 +0.16 pp
2001 10.57 −0.8 pp
2000 11.37 −0.54 pp
1999 11.91 −0.51 pp
1998 12.42 −0.39 pp
1997 12.81 −0.23 pp
1996 13.05 −0.08 pp
1995 13.12 −0.3 pp
1994 13.42 +0.71 pp
1993 12.71 +1.45 pp
1992 11.27 +0.67 pp
1991 10.59

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.