economy

Unemployment

Share of the labour force without work.

5.9%Belgium · 20250.2%
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Data insight

Global perspective

The world estimate was 5.1% in 2025, down 19.8% from 2015. Across the longer period from 2005, the global estimate changed by -1.4% (-21.6%). Latest country observations range from 0.1% in Qatar (2025) to 34.2% in Eswatini (2025), with the middle country observation at 5.1%; observation years may differ. Across the derived regional aggregates, Africa reports 6.4%, while Oceania reports 3.9%. Over roughly a decade, Africa changed by -0.7%; Oceania changed by -1.2%. Among countries with sufficient history, the largest absolute decade increase was +10.8% in Eswatini, while the largest decrease was -16.7% in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Coverage includes 184 countries; their latest observation years span 2021-2025, with a median latest year of 2025.

Belgium over time

Belgium reports 5.9% in 2025. From 2015 to 2025, Belgium decreased by 2.6 percentage points (30.4%). From 2005 to 2025, Belgium decreased by 2.5 percentage points (30.0%). The latest decade changed by −2.6 percentage points, versus +0 percentage points in the preceding decade, indicating a reversal in direction.

Europe and world context

This is 0.8 percentage points above Europe (2025). This is 0.8 percentage points above the world estimate (2025). From 2015 to 2025, Europe decreased by 3.8 percentage points (42.5%). The latest decade changed by −3.8 percentage points, versus −0 percentage points in the preceding decade, indicating a larger absolute movement.

Belgium has the 78th-highest latest observation among 184 countries and 19th among 39 countries in Europe. Latest observation years span 2021-2025, so ranks are descriptive rather than perfectly synchronized.

  • Regional spread: Africa is at 6.4% (2025), compared with 3.9% in Oceania (2025).
  • Largest observed decade increase: Eswatini changed by +10.8%.
  • Largest observed decade decrease: Bosnia and Herzegovina changed by -16.7%.
  • Coverage: 184 countries; the median latest observation is 2025, with latest country observations spanning 2021-2025.
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Up to 3%3% to 4.5%4.5% to 6%6% to 9.5%Over 9.5%
2025
9.6%8.6%7.5%6.4%5.4%1991199720022008201420192025
Belgium

Source

World Bank

Source series SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS. World and continent values are derived from available countries using population-weighted averages.