Female unemployment — all countries

Female unemployment — Western Europe

Female unemployment in Western Europe in 2025 — 5.07%. Since 1991, the indicator has fallen by 3.21 pp.

2025 5.07% +0.3 pp vs 2024
World rank
Period maximum 10.92%1997
Period minimum 4.6%2022

Trend over time

1991–2025 · % of female labor force

Female unemployment — Western Europe, 1991–2025468101219911995199920032007201120152019202320251991: 8.28%1992: 9.22%1993: 10.05%1994: 10.92%1995: 10.53%1996: 10.63%1997: 10.92%1998: 10.65%1999: 9.82%2000: 8.6%2001: 7.69%2002: 7.75%2003: 8.19%2004: 9.01%2005: 9.63%2006: 9.17%2007: 8%2008: 7.14%2009: 7.61%2010: 7.4%2011: 6.93%2012: 6.89%2013: 6.9%2014: 6.84%2015: 6.55%2016: 6.25%2017: 5.75%2018: 5.25%2019: 4.82%2020: 5.16%2021: 5.13%2022: 4.6%2023: 4.61%2024: 4.77%2025: 5.07%
Change over the period: −3.21 pp Annual average: -0.09 pp

Comparison, 2025

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Western Europe

Western Europe 5.07%
World 4.94%
Female unemployment — Western Europe, by year Western Europe All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 5.07 +0.3 pp
2024 4.77 +0.16 pp
2023 4.61 +0.01 pp
2022 4.6 −0.53 pp
2021 5.13 −0.03 pp
2020 5.16 +0.35 pp
2019 4.82 −0.43 pp
2018 5.25 −0.5 pp
2017 5.75 −0.5 pp
2016 6.25 −0.3 pp
2015 6.55 −0.29 pp
2014 6.84 −0.06 pp
2013 6.9 +0.01 pp
2012 6.89 −0.04 pp
2011 6.93 −0.47 pp
2010 7.4 −0.21 pp
2009 7.61 +0.47 pp
2008 7.14 −0.86 pp
2007 8 −1.18 pp
2006 9.17 −0.46 pp
2005 9.63 +0.62 pp
2004 9.01 +0.83 pp
2003 8.19 +0.44 pp
2002 7.75 +0.06 pp
2001 7.69 −0.91 pp
2000 8.6 −1.22 pp
1999 9.82 −0.83 pp
1998 10.65 −0.27 pp
1997 10.92 +0.29 pp
1996 10.63 +0.1 pp
1995 10.53 −0.38 pp
1994 10.92 +0.87 pp
1993 10.05 +0.83 pp
1992 9.22 +0.94 pp
1991 8.28

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.