India unemployment rate by year, 1991 to 2025
India: 4.22% in 2025. Unemployment rate peaked at 7.86% in 2020 in this 1991–2025 series. Compare the annual estimates.
Free to edit and export · No signup to start
What the data shows
- India: 7.64% in 1991, 4.22% in 2025 (45% lower). It peaked at 7.86% in 2020.
- United States: 6.80% in 1991, 4.20% in 2025 (38% lower). It peaked at 9.63% in 2010.
- Turkmenistan: 1.40% in 1991, 4.27% in 2025 (3.0× higher). It peaked at 12.70% in 1999.
- Australia: 9.59% in 1991, 4.09% in 2025 (57% lower). It peaked at 10.88% in 1993.
About this chart
India's modeled unemployment rate reached a displayed-period high of 7.86% in 2020. By 2025, the estimate was 4.22%, compared with 7.64% at the start of the series in 1991. The displayed annual series runs from 1991 through 2025; its lowest value was 4.17% in 2023. The preceding annual observation, for 2024, was 4.17%.
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 United States (4.20%), Turkmenistan (4.27%) and Australia (4.09%). 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 | 🇮🇳 India | 🇺🇸 United States | 🇹🇲 Turkmenistan | 🇦🇺 Australia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 7.64% | 6.80% | 1.40% | 9.59% |
| 1992 | 7.65% | 7.50% | 1.50% | 10.73% |
| 1993 | 7.66% | 6.90% | 1.50% | 10.88% |
| 1994 | 7.59% | 6.12% | 4.70% | 9.72% |
| 1995 | 7.57% | 5.65% | 8.30% | 8.47% |
| 1996 | 7.54% | 5.45% | 10.30% | 8.51% |
| 1997 | 7.57% | 5.00% | 11.00% | 8.37% |
| 1998 | 7.60% | 4.51% | 12.20% | 7.68% |
| 1999 | 7.58% | 4.22% | 12.70% | 6.88% |
| 2000 | 7.59% | 3.99% | 11.73% | 6.29% |
| 2001 | 7.61% | 4.73% | 10.90% | 6.75% |
| 2002 | 7.68% | 5.78% | 10.14% | 6.38% |
| 2003 | 7.63% | 5.99% | 9.29% | 5.93% |
| 2004 | 7.60% | 5.53% | 8.42% | 5.40% |
| 2005 | 7.55% | 5.08% | 7.50% | 5.04% |
| 2006 | 7.55% | 4.62% | 6.60% | 4.79% |
| 2007 | 7.56% | 4.62% | 5.72% | 4.38% |
| 2008 | 7.63% | 5.78% | 4.85% | 4.24% |
| 2009 | 7.64% | 9.25% | 4.00% | 5.57% |
| 2010 | 7.63% | 9.63% | 4.00% | 5.21% |
| 2011 | 7.61% | 8.95% | 4.00% | 5.08% |
| 2012 | 7.64% | 8.07% | 3.99% | 5.22% |
| 2013 | 7.68% | 7.38% | 3.99% | 5.66% |
| 2014 | 7.66% | 6.17% | 4.00% | 6.08% |
| 2015 | 7.63% | 5.28% | 4.02% | 6.05% |
| 2016 | 7.61% | 4.87% | 4.03% | 5.71% |
| 2017 | 7.63% | 4.36% | 4.04% | 5.59% |
| 2018 | 7.65% | 3.90% | 4.04% | 5.34% |
| 2019 | 6.51% | 3.67% | 4.04% | 5.14% |
| 2020 | 7.86% | 8.05% | 4.49% | 6.39% |
| 2021 | 6.38% | 5.35% | 4.46% | 5.02% |
| 2022 | 4.82% | 3.65% | 4.02% | 3.73% |
| 2023 | 4.17% | 3.64% | 4.01% | 3.67% |
| 2024 | 4.17% | 4.02% | 4.02% | 3.94% |
| 2025 | 4.22% | 4.20% | 4.27% | 4.09% |
Post it
Suggested caption: “India: unemployment 7.86% in 2020, 4.22% 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 India?
India's unemployment rate was 4.22% of the labor force in 2025 in the World Bank's modeled ILO series. National statistical releases may use a different series.
When was India's unemployment rate highest in this series?
The highest displayed value was 7.86% 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 India?
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 chartsIndia's GDP
India GDP reached $3.96T in 2025. Its rank was 13 in 1980 and 6 in 2025. Current US dollars, not real growth.
India's population
India: UN projects a 1,701.28M population peak in 2061. Its medium scenario puts 2100 at 1,505.25M, compared with 1,438.07M in 2023.
India: life expectancy
India: 72.2 years in 2024. Life expectancy peaked at 72.2 years in 2024 in this 1990–2024 series.
- India fertility rate by year, 1990 to 2024
- India GDP per capita by year, 1990 to 2025
- India inflation rate by year, 1999 to 2025
- India military spending by year, 1993 to 2025
- India median age by year, 1990 to 2023
- India vs United States population, 1950 to 2100
- India vs United States GDP, 1960 to 2025
- India vs Pakistan population, 1950 to 2100
- India vs Pakistan GDP, 1960 to 2025