Brazil unemployment rate by year, 1991 to 2025
Brazil: 5.97% in 2025. Unemployment rate peaked at 13.70% in 2020 in this 1991–2025 series.
Free to edit and export · No signup to start
What the data shows
- Brazil: 6.89% in 1991, 5.97% in 2025. It peaked at 13.70% in 2020.
- Eritrea: 5.13% in 1991, 5.98% in 2025. It peaked at 6.49% in 2021.
- Puerto Rico: 16.18% in 1991, 5.99% in 2025 (63% lower). It peaked at 16.93% in 1992.
- Romania: 8.23% in 1991, 5.99% in 2025. It peaked at 8.26% in 1992.
About this chart
Brazil's modeled unemployment rate reached a displayed-period high of 13.70% in 2020. By 2025, the estimate was 5.97%, compared with 6.89% at the start of the series in 1991. The displayed annual series runs from 1991 through 2025; its lowest value was 5.97% in 2025. The preceding annual observation, for 2024, was 6.80%.
Unemployment is the share of the labor force without work but available for and seeking employment. These are modeled ILO estimates, so they can differ from a country's headline national series and do not measure everyone without a job. In 2025, the comparison lines show Eritrea (5.98%), Puerto Rico (5.99%) and Romania (5.99%). These peers have the closest latest values among reporting countries with over one million people and a continuous common history; they are not selected by geography.
The data
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS), % of the labor force. Retrieved November 5, 2026. Unemployment is the share of the labor force without work but available for and seeking employment. These are modeled ILO estimates, so they can differ from a country's headline national series and do not measure everyone without a job. Peers are selected by proximity to the country's latest value among countries with over one million people and a continuous common series.
| Date | 🇧🇷 Brazil | 🇪🇷 Eritrea | 🇵🇷 Puerto Rico | 🇷🇴 Romania |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 6.89% | 5.13% | 16.18% | 8.23% |
| 1992 | 7.09% | 5.30% | 16.93% | 8.26% |
| 1993 | 6.03% | 5.39% | 16.91% | 8.25% |
| 1994 | 6.58% | 5.45% | 14.60% | 8.17% |
| 1995 | 7.09% | 5.35% | 13.93% | 8.01% |
| 1996 | 8.04% | 5.31% | 13.64% | 6.74% |
| 1997 | 9.00% | 5.40% | 13.80% | 5.51% |
| 1998 | 10.15% | 5.50% | 13.46% | 5.63% |
| 1999 | 11.12% | 5.60% | 11.81% | 6.24% |
| 2000 | 10.89% | 5.66% | 10.08% | 6.97% |
| 2001 | 10.65% | 5.74% | 11.40% | 6.56% |
| 2002 | 10.64% | 5.79% | 11.94% | 8.11% |
| 2003 | 11.17% | 5.79% | 11.78% | 6.95% |
| 2004 | 10.07% | 5.70% | 10.31% | 7.72% |
| 2005 | 10.55% | 5.72% | 11.35% | 7.17% |
| 2006 | 9.69% | 5.71% | 11.01% | 7.27% |
| 2007 | 9.28% | 5.72% | 10.93% | 6.41% |
| 2008 | 8.27% | 5.68% | 11.48% | 5.79% |
| 2009 | 9.42% | 5.76% | 15.00% | 6.86% |
| 2010 | 8.42% | 5.85% | 16.10% | 6.96% |
| 2011 | 7.58% | 5.80% | 15.70% | 7.18% |
| 2012 | 7.25% | 5.69% | 14.50% | 6.79% |
| 2013 | 7.07% | 5.62% | 14.30% | 7.10% |
| 2014 | 6.75% | 5.64% | 13.90% | 6.80% |
| 2015 | 8.54% | 5.75% | 12.00% | 6.81% |
| 2016 | 11.58% | 5.77% | 11.80% | 5.90% |
| 2017 | 12.79% | 5.80% | 10.80% | 4.93% |
| 2018 | 12.33% | 5.76% | 9.20% | 4.19% |
| 2019 | 11.94% | 5.81% | 8.30% | 3.91% |
| 2020 | 13.70% | 6.38% | 8.89% | 5.04% |
| 2021 | 13.16% | 6.49% | 7.90% | 5.59% |
| 2022 | 9.23% | 6.03% | 6.00% | 5.61% |
| 2023 | 7.95% | 5.91% | 5.72% | 5.59% |
| 2024 | 6.80% | 5.95% | 5.64% | 5.40% |
| 2025 | 5.97% | 5.98% | 5.99% | 5.99% |
Post it
Suggested caption: “Brazil: unemployment 13.70% in 2020, 5.97% in 2025.” Credit the source in your caption; it heads off the 'source?' comments.
Make it yours
- Switch between bar, line, column and donut races with one click.
- Pick 9:16 for Reels and TikTok, 4:5 for the feed or 16:9 for YouTube.
- Change the theme, font, colors and race length, and add your own captions.
- Paste your own numbers from Excel or Google Sheets. See the animated line chart maker for tips.
Frequently asked questions
What is the unemployment rate in Brazil?
Brazil's unemployment rate was 5.97% of the labor force in 2025 in the World Bank's modeled ILO series. National statistical releases may use a different series.
When was Brazil's unemployment rate highest in this series?
The highest displayed value was 13.70% in 2020. This comparison covers 1991 through 2025; it is not a claim about years outside the available series.
Why are these countries compared with Brazil?
The comparison selects three countries with the closest 2025 values, among countries with over one million people and at least fifteen consecutive annual observations in common. The matching is based on the indicator level, not economic structure or geographic proximity.
Where does this data come from?
World Bank, World Development Indicators (SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS), % of the labor force. Retrieved November 5, 2026. Unemployment is the share of the labor force without work but available for and seeking employment. These are modeled ILO estimates, so they can differ from a country's headline national series and do not measure everyone without a job. Peers are selected by proximity to the country's latest value among countries with over one million people and a continuous common series. You can download the full table as a CSV from this page.
Can I turn this chart into a video?
Yes. Open it in the editor, change the title, theme, colors or format (9:16 for Reels and TikTok, 16:9 for YouTube), and export an MP4. Free exports are 720p with a small watermark; Pro ($11.99/month) removes it and adds 1080p, 4K and 60 fps.
Related data
All money chartsBrazil's GDP
Brazil GDP: $2.62T in 2011, versus $2.28T in 2025. World Bank totals in current US dollars; not adjusted for inflation.
Brazil's population
Brazil: UN projects a 219.32M population peak in 2042. Its medium scenario puts 2100 at 163.36M, compared with 211.14M in 2023.
Brazil's largest cities
São Paulo: 18.95M in 2025; UN projects 18.22M in 2050. UN dense urban areas, not city limits. Post-2025 values are projections.
- Brazil life expectancy by year, 1990 to 2024
- Brazil fertility rate by year, 1990 to 2024
- Brazil GDP per capita by year, 1990 to 2025
- Brazil inflation rate by year, 1993 to 2025
- Brazil military spending by year, 1990 to 2025
- Brazil median age by year, 1990 to 2023
- Brazil vs Mexico population, 1950 to 2100
- Brazil vs Mexico GDP, 1960 to 2025
- Canada unemployment rate by year, 1991 to 2025