Countries with the Highest Unemployment Rates (2026)
Source: IMF World Economic Outlook·25 countries·Updated 2026
High unemployment reflects deep structural and economic challenges. These 25 countries have the highest unemployment rates in 2026.
Sudan leads with unemployment rate (%) of 58.0%.
South Africa ranks #2 at 32.7%.
Georgia ranks #3 at 13.9%.
Armenia ranks #4 at 13.3%.
North Macedonia ranks #5 at 12.7%.
Top 25 Countries by Unemployment Rate (%)
| # | Country | Unemployment Rate (%) | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Sudan | 58.0% | 2026 |
| 2 |  South Africa | 32.7% | 2026 |
| 3 |  Georgia | 13.9% | 2026 |
| 4 |  Armenia | 13.3% | 2026 |
| 5 |  North Macedonia | 12.7% | 2026 |
| 6 |  Morocco | 12.7% | 2026 |
| 7 |  Bosnia and Herzegovina | 12.6% | 2026 |
| 8 |  Spain | 10.7% | 2026 |
| 9 |  Ukraine | 10.2% | 2026 |
| 10 |  Colombia | 9.8% | 2026 |
| 11 |  Iran, Islamic Rep. | 9.2% | 2026 |
| 12 |  Bahamas, The | 9.1% | 2026 |
| 13 |  Suriname | 9.0% | 2026 |
| 14 |  Finland | 8.7% | 2026 |
| 15 |  Albania | 8.7% | 2026 |
| 16 |  Serbia | 8.6% | 2026 |
| 17 |  Cabo Verde | 8.5% | 2026 |
| 18 |  Sweden | 8.4% | 2026 |
| 19 |  Greece | 8.4% | 2026 |
| 20 |  Chile | 8.3% | 2026 |
| 21 |  Turkiye | 8.3% | 2026 |
| 22 |  Costa Rica | 8.0% | 2026 |
| 23 |  Honduras | 8.0% | 2026 |
| 24 |  Uruguay | 8.0% | 2026 |
| 25 |  Barbados | 7.8% | 2026 |
Data from 105 countries is available. View full rankings →
FAQ
What is the highest unemployment rate (%) in 2026?
Sudan has the highest unemployment rate (%) at 58.0% in 2026.
How many countries are included in this ranking?
This article features the top 25 countries out of 105 with available data. Full rankings available on the indicator page.
Where does this data come from?
Data is sourced from the IMF World Economic Outlook. It is updated regularly as new releases become available.