Unemployment Rate: Israel
Israel's unemployment rate is currently 3.2% as of 2026. # Israel Unemployment Rate Israel's unemployment rate stands at 3.
Current (2026)
3.2%
+10.3% y/y
Peak (2003)
13.4%
Low (2025)
2.9%
Source
IMF World Economic Outlook
1980–2026 · 51 pts
Unemployment Rate — Israel
1980 — 2026
Unemployment Rate — Israel
Analysis# Israel Unemployment Rate
Israel's unemployment rate stands at 3.2% in 2026, reflecting a robust labor market compared to historical benchmarks. The country reached its all-time peak of 13.4% in 2003, then embarked on a prolonged decline, achieving a 33.3% reduction over the past 46 years. The recent low of 2.9% occurred in 2025, positioning the current rate just slightly above this near-record level.
The most significant shift occurred between 2003 and 2017, when the unemployment rate fell from crisis levels to the mid-4% range. A notable spike to 5% emerged in 2021 amid pandemic disruptions, yet the economy quickly recovered through 2022–2025, settling into the lowest band of the 50-year data series. The modest uptick from 2.9% to 3.2% suggests stabilization rather than deterioration, maintaining Israel's position within a historically tight labor market.
Historical Data
51 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2030 | 3.9% | +0.00% |
| 2029 | 3.9% | +5.41% |
| 2028 | 3.7% | +5.71% |
| 2027 | 3.5% | +9.37% |
| 2026 | 3.2% | +10.34% |
| 2025 | 2.9% | -3.33% |
| 2024 | 3.0% | -14.29% |
| 2023 | 3.5% | -7.89% |
| 2022 | 3.8% | -24.00% |
| 2021 | 5.0% | +16.28% |
| 2020 | 4.3% | +13.16% |
| 2019 | 3.8% | -5.00% |
| 2018 | 4.0% | -4.76% |
| 2017 | 4.2% | -12.50% |
| 2016 | 4.8% | -7.69% |
| 2015 | 5.2% | -11.86% |
| 2014 | 5.9% | -4.84% |
| 2013 | 6.2% | -10.14% |
| 2012 | 6.9% | -2.82% |
| 2011 | 7.1% | -14.46% |
Show all 51 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 8.3% | -11.70% |
| 2009 | 9.4% | +22.08% |
| 2008 | 7.7% | -16.30% |
| 2007 | 9.2% | -12.38% |
| 2006 | 10.5% | -6.25% |
| 2005 | 11.2% | -13.18% |
| 2004 | 12.9% | -3.73% |
| 2003 | 13.4% | +3.88% |
| 2002 | 12.9% | +11.21% |
| 2001 | 11.6% | +6.42% |
| 2000 | 10.9% | -1.80% |
| 1999 | 11.1% | +3.74% |
| 1998 | 10.7% | +12.63% |
| 1997 | 9.5% | +14.46% |
| 1996 | 8.3% | +20.29% |
| 1995 | 6.9% | -11.54% |
| 1994 | 7.8% | -22.00% |
| 1993 | 10.0% | -10.71% |
| 1992 | 11.2% | +5.66% |
| 1991 | 10.6% | +10.42% |
| 1990 | 9.6% | +7.87% |
| 1989 | 8.9% | +39.06% |
| 1988 | 6.4% | +4.92% |
| 1987 | 6.1% | -14.08% |
| 1986 | 7.1% | +5.97% |
| 1985 | 6.7% | +13.56% |
| 1984 | 5.9% | +28.26% |
| 1983 | 4.6% | -8.00% |
| 1982 | 5.0% | -1.96% |
| 1981 | 5.1% | +6.25% |
| 1980 | 4.8% | — |
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