Unemployment Rate: Australia
Current Value (2024)
3.9%
All-Time Peak (1993)
10.9%
All-Time Low (2023)
3.7%
Unemployment Rate — Australia
Analysis# Australia's Unemployment Rate Analysis (1991–2024)
Australia's unemployment has remained remarkably stable in the 2020s, hovering near historic lows with the 2024 rate of 3.942% only marginally above the 2023 low of 3.668%, indicating sustained labor market tightness post-pandemic. The 7.2 percentage point gap between the current rate and the 1993 peak of 10.879% reflects structural improvements: the early 1990s recession devastated employment, whereas modern downturns (2008 GFC, 2020 COVID) triggered far more modest increases, suggesting enhanced policy responses and economic resilience.
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3.9% | +7.47% |
| 2023 | 3.7% | -1.61% |
| 2022 | 3.7% | -25.77% |
| 2021 | 5.0% | -21.46% |
| 2020 | 6.4% | +24.32% |
| 2019 | 5.1% | -3.78% |
| 2018 | 5.3% | -4.42% |
| 2017 | 5.6% | -2.08% |
| 2016 | 5.7% | -5.68% |
| 2015 | 6.1% | -0.38% |
| 2014 | 6.1% | +7.33% |
| 2013 | 5.7% | +8.38% |
| 2012 | 5.2% | +2.79% |
| 2011 | 5.1% | -2.51% |
| 2010 | 5.2% | -6.31% |
| 2009 | 5.6% | +31.19% |
| 2008 | 4.2% | -3.17% |
| 2007 | 4.4% | -8.44% |
| 2006 | 4.8% | -4.98% |
| 2005 | 5.0% | -6.72% |
Show all 34 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 5.4% | -9.00% |
| 2003 | 5.9% | -6.93% |
| 2002 | 6.4% | -5.51% |
| 2001 | 6.7% | +7.30% |
| 2000 | 6.3% | -8.55% |
| 1999 | 6.9% | -10.52% |
| 1998 | 7.7% | -8.16% |
| 1997 | 8.4% | -1.67% |
| 1996 | 8.5% | +0.42% |
| 1995 | 8.5% | -12.87% |
| 1994 | 9.7% | -10.62% |
| 1993 | 10.9% | +1.36% |
| 1992 | 10.7% | +11.97% |
| 1991 | 9.6% | — |