Paris, 13 November 2012

OECD Harmonised Unemployment Rates

News Release: September 2012

OECD unemployment rate at 7.9% in September 2012

The OECD unemployment rate was 7.9% in September 2012, broadly the same rate observed since
January 2011.
In the euro area, the unemployment rate increased for the 16th consecutive month -- up 0.1
percentage point to 11.6% in September.
The unemployment rate fell by 0.3 percentage point in the United States in September (to 7.8%),
while it rose by 0.1 percentage point in Canada (to 7.4%). The October data show that the unemployment
rate rose by 0.1 percentage point in the United States (to 7.9%), while it was stable in Canada. The
unemployment rate in September was stable in Japan (at 4.2%).
Differences in unemployment rates across OECD countries remain large. The unemployment rate
was highest in Spain (25.8%), followed by Greece (25.1% in July, the latest month available), Portugal
(15.7%) and Ireland (15.1%). By contrast, unemployment rates remained below 5.5% in Australia, Austria,
Germany, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Mexico and the Netherlands.
In September, the unemployment rate for youth fell by 0.4 percentage point (to 15.9%) in the OECD
area, but with divergent patterns across OECD countries. The unemployment rate for youth fell significantly
in the United States (down 1.3 percentage points to 15.5%) and Japan (down 1.0 percentage point to
7.0%) but continued to rise in the Euro area (by 0.3 percentage point to 23.3%); with the highest rates in
Greece (55.6% in July), Spain (54.2%), Ireland (34.5%), Italy (35.1%) and Portugal (35.1%).
Overall, there were 47.6 million people unemployed in the OECD area in September 2012, 0.4
million less than in August, but still 12.9 million more than in July 2008. Of these, 11.6 million were youths.

OECD Harmonised Unemployment Rates, s.a.

All persons
Euro area
Japan

Youth
United States
OECD Total

Jul-08

Sep-12

Aug-12

40

13

35

12

30

11
10

25

20

15

10

4
3

(1) For the United Kingdom, data refer to July 2012, compared to July 2008 and June 2012.

Methodological Notes: http://www.oecd.org/std/labourstatistics/44743407.pdf

All rates and levels quoted are seasonally adjusted (s.a.).
New Labour Market Statistics: http://stats.oecd.org/index.aspx?queryid=36324
Country Note: The statistical data for Israel are supplied by and under the responsibility of the relevant Israeli
authorities. The use of such data by the OECD is without prejudice to the status of the Golan Heights, East Jerusalem
and Israeli settlements in the West Bank under the terms of international law.
Contacts: For further information readers are invited to contact the OECD's Media Relations Division on
(33) 1 45 24 97 00 or e-mail news.contact@oecd.org
For technical questions contact stat.contact@oecd.org
Next release: Tuesday, 11 December 2012
1

Paris, 13 November 2012

OECD Harmonised Unemployment Rates

News Release: September 2012
Table 1: OECD Unemployment Rates, s.a.
Percentage of active population
2009

2010

2011

OECD - Total
Major Seven
European Union
Euro area

8.1
8.0
9.0
9.6

8.3
8.2
9.7
10.1

Australia
Austria
Belgium
(1)
Canada
Chile
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Korea
Luxembourg
Mexico
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Slovak Republic
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
United Kingdom
(2)
United States

5.6
4.8
7.9
8.3
10.8
6.7
6.0
13.8
8.2
9.5
7.8
9.5
10.0
7.3
11.9
7.5
7.8
5.1
3.7
5.1
5.5
3.7
6.1
3.2
8.2
9.6
12.1
5.9
18.0
8.3

5.2
4.4
8.3
8.0
8.2
7.3
7.5
16.9
8.4
9.7
7.1
12.6
11.2
7.6
13.7
6.6
8.4
5.1
3.7
4.6
5.4
4.5
6.5
3.6
9.7
11.0
14.5
7.3
20.1
8.4
4.5
10.7
7.8
9.6

Notes:
(1) Canada:
(2) United States:

12.6
7.6
9.3

8.0
7.7
9.7
10.1

2011
Q4
8.0
7.6
10.0
10.6

Q1
7.9
7.5
10.2
10.9

2012
Q2
7.9
7.5
10.4
11.3

5.1
4.1
7.2
7.5
7.1
6.7
7.6
12.6
7.8
9.6
6.0
17.7
11.0
7.1
14.4
5.6
8.4
4.6
3.4
4.8
5.2
4.5
6.5
3.3
9.7
12.9
13.6
8.2
21.6
7.5
4.0
8.8
8.0
9.0

5.2
4.3
7.2
7.5
7.1
6.6
7.8
11.8
7.6
9.8
5.6
20.5
10.9
6.7
14.7
5.4
9.2
4.5
3.1
4.9
5.0
4.9
6.4
3.4
10.0
14.1
13.9
8.6
23.0
7.5
4.0
8.3
8.3
8.7

5.2
4.2
7.1
7.4
6.7
6.8
7.5
10.7
7.5
10.0
5.6
21.8
11.1
6.5
14.8
6.8
10.0
4.5
3.4
5.0
5.1
5.0
6.7
3.2
10.0
14.9
13.7
8.2
23.8
7.5
4.3
8.1
8.1
8.3

5.1
4.3
7.4
7.3
6.3
6.8
8.0
10.0
7.6
10.3
5.5
23.9
11.0
6.3
14.7
6.9
10.5
4.4
3.3
5.1
4.9
5.1
6.8
3.0
10.0
15.5
13.8
8.4
24.7
7.6
3.7
7.9
7.9
8.2

Unemployment rate for October 2012 was 7.4%

Unemployment rate for October 2012 was 7.9%

Q3
8.0
7.4
10.6
11.5

Apr
7.9
7.5
10.3
11.2

May
8.0
7.5
10.4
11.3

2012
Jun
Jul
8.0
8.0
7.5
7.5
10.5 10.5
11.4 11.5

5.3
4.5
7.4
7.3
6.2
6.8
8.2

5.0
4.1
7.3
7.3
6.5
6.8
7.8
10.0
7.6
10.1
5.6
23.1
11.1
6.3
14.7
6.7
10.5
4.6
3.4
5.0
4.9
5.2

5.2
4.3
7.4
7.3
6.3
6.8
8.0
10.0
7.6
10.3
5.5
23.9
11.0
6.3
14.7
6.9
10.5
4.4
3.2
5.1
5.0
5.1

5.3
4.5
7.4
7.2
6.2
6.8
8.1
10.0
7.6
10.4
5.5
24.8
10.8
6.3
14.7
7.1
10.6
4.3
3.2
5.1
4.9
5.1

5.2
4.6
7.5
7.3
6.1
6.8
8.1
10.1
7.6
10.6
5.5
25.1
10.7
6.3
14.9
6.6
10.6
4.3
3.1
5.2
4.7
5.3

10.1
15.7
14.0
8.4
25.5
7.7

3.0
10.0
15.4
13.7
8.3
24.4
7.4

3.0
10.0
15.5
13.8
8.5
24.8
7.8

3.1
10.0
15.7
13.9
8.5
25.0
7.6

8.1

8.0
7.9
8.1

7.9
7.9
8.2

7.8
7.9
8.2

7.8
10.7
5.4

6.3
15.0
6.7
10.7
4.2
3.1
5.2
4.8
5.3
7.3

Aug
8.0
7.4
10.6
11.5

Sep
7.9
7.3
10.6
11.6

5.1
4.5
7.4
7.3
6.2
6.8
8.1
10.0
7.9
10.7
5.4

5.4
4.4
7.4
7.4

7.9
10.8
5.4

10.6
6.3
15.0
6.8
10.6
4.2
3.1
5.2
5.0
5.3

6.3
15.1
6.8
10.8
4.2
3.1
5.2
4.7
5.4

3.0
10.0
15.7
14.0
8.4
25.3
7.5

10.1
15.8
14.1
8.4
25.5
7.8

10.1
15.7
13.9
8.4
25.8
7.8

8.0
7.9
8.3

8.1

7.8

6.8
8.3

Paris, 13 November 2012

OECD Harmonised Unemployment Rates

News Release: September 2012
Table 2: Unemployment Rates by Gender, s.a.
Percentage of corresponding active population
Women
2011
OECD - Total
Major Seven
European Union
Euro area

8.0
7.5
9.8
10.5

2012
Q2
Q3
8.0
8.0
7.4
7.3
10.4 10.6
11.4 11.7

Australia
Austria
Belgium
Canada
Chile
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Korea
Luxembourg
Mexico
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Slovak Republic
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
United Kingdom
United States

5.3
4.3
7.2
7.0
8.7
7.9
7.5
11.9
7.1
10.2
5.7
21.4
10.9
6.2
10.6
5.6
9.6
4.2
3.1
6.0
5.3
4.4
6.7
3.1
10.5
13.2
13.6
8.2
22.2
7.5
4.4
10.1
7.3
8.5

5.4
4.2
7.6
6.8
7.6
8.1
8.0
9.1
6.9
10.6
5.3
27.7
10.5
5.9
10.9
7.1
11.7
4.2
3.1
5.8
4.9
5.1
7.2
2.5
10.9
15.5
14.3
9.1
24.9
7.4
4.2
8.9
7.3
8.0

5.2
4.5
7.6
6.8
7.8
8.1
8.5
7.2
11.0
5.1

6.0
11.1
6.6
11.8
3.9
2.9
5.9
4.8
5.3
7.4

Jul
8.1
7.4
10.6
11.7
5.3
4.5
7.7
6.9
7.5
8.1
8.3
9.3
7.0
10.9
5.2
29.0
10.3
5.9
10.9
6.5
11.9
4.1
2.8
5.8
4.7
5.2

10.9
15.6
14.3
9.2
25.8
7.5

2.5
10.9
15.5
14.5
9.2
25.5
7.1

7.8

9.0
7.3
8.1

Men
2012
Aug
8.0
7.3
10.6
11.7
5.0
4.4
7.6
6.8
7.8
8.1
8.5
9.4
7.2
11.0
5.1
10.2
6.0
11.1
6.9
11.8
3.7
2.9
5.9
4.8
5.2

10.9
15.7
14.4
9.2
25.8
7.5

7.8

2011
Sep
8.0
7.1
10.7
11.8
5.3
4.5
7.4
6.7
8.1
8.6
7.3
11.0
5.1

6.1
11.4
6.4
11.8
3.8
2.9
5.9
4.8
5.4

10.9
15.6
14.1
9.2
26.1
7.9

7.5

7.9
7.9
9.6
9.9
4.9
4.0
7.1
7.8
6.1
5.8
7.7
13.2
8.4
9.1
6.2
15.0
11.0
7.9
17.5
5.6
7.5
4.9
3.6
3.9
5.2
4.5
6.4
3.5
9.0
12.7
13.6
8.2
21.2
7.5
3.7
8.3
8.7
9.4

2012
Q2
Q3
7.9
7.9
7.6
7.5
10.3 10.5
11.1 11.4
4.9
4.4
7.2
7.7
5.5
5.8
7.9
10.9
8.2
10.0
5.8
21.1
11.3
6.6
17.8
6.8
9.7
4.6
3.4
4.5
4.9
5.2
6.4
3.5
9.2
15.5
13.4
7.9
24.6
7.7
3.4
7.5
8.4
8.3

5.3
4.5
7.3
7.8
5.0
5.8
7.8

Jul
7.9
7.6
10.5
11.3

Sep
7.9
7.4
10.6
11.5

5.2
4.5
7.3
7.7
5.0
5.8
7.7
10.7
8.4
10.4
5.7

8.5
10.5
5.6

11.0
6.5
18.2
6.8
9.7
4.5
3.2
4.6
5.1
5.3

6.5
18.0
7.2
10.1
4.4
3.3
4.6
4.6
5.4

9.4
15.9
13.7
7.8
25.4
8.0

3.5
9.3
15.8
13.6
7.8
25.2
7.9

9.4
15.9
13.8
7.7
25.3
8.2

9.5
15.9
13.7
7.8
25.6
7.8

8.2

7.5
8.4
8.4

8.3

8.0

8.4
10.4
5.7

6.5
18.1
6.9
9.8
4.5
3.3
4.6
4.8
5.3
7.2

5.2
4.6
7.3
7.7
5.1
5.8
7.8
10.9
8.3
10.3
5.7
22.3
11.0
6.6
18.0
6.6
9.6
4.5
3.3
4.6
4.7
5.3

2012
Aug
7.9
7.5
10.5
11.3

5.6
4.4
7.3
7.9
5.8
8.0

Paris, 13 November 2012

OECD Harmonised Unemployment Rates

News Release: September 2012
Table 3: Unemployment Rates by Age, s.a.
Percentage of corresponding active population

OECD - Total
Major Seven
European Union
Euro area

16.3
16.3
21.4
20.8

Youth (15-24)
2012
Q2
Q3
Jul
16.2 16.1 16.1
16.1 16.0 16.1
22.6 22.7 22.6
22.7 23.1 23.0

Australia
Austria
Belgium
Canada
Chile
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Korea
Luxembourg
Mexico
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Slovak Republic
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
United Kingdom
United States

11.3
8.3
18.7
14.2
17.5
18.1
14.2
22.4
19.8
22.9
8.6
44.4
26.1
14.7
29.4
11.6
28.9
8.2
9.6
16.4
10.0
7.6
17.3
8.7
25.8
30.1
33.5
15.8
46.5
22.7
5.8
16.8
21.0
17.3

11.4
8.7
18.2
14.3
15.6
19.6
14.7
22.3
18.2
23.8
8.1
54.3
28.2
13.3
32.3
11.3
34.3
8.3
9.6
18.4
9.5
9.3
16.4
8.1
25.7
37.3
33.4
18.5
52.5
23.2
6.1
15.6
21.1
16.3

2011

11.9
9.7
18.1
14.7
15.3
19.0
14.3
18.5
25.3
8.0

13.0
34.3
13.6
34.5
7.7
8.9
18.5
9.1
9.4
18.0

12.1
9.3
18.2
14.3
15.3
19.0
14.4
22.0
17.8
24.9
8.1
55.6
28.9
12.9
33.9
13.4
34.4
8.2
9.1
18.5
8.9
9.2

26.1
35.7
29.7
17.2
53.8
23.9

8.0
25.7
36.3
30.6
17.2
53.5
22.8

16.2

15.0
20.4
16.4

2012
Aug
16.3
16.3
22.7
23.0
11.6
9.9
18.2
14.8
15.3
18.8
14.4
20.2
18.8
25.3
8.0
29.0
13.0
34.4
15.2
33.9
8.0
8.9
18.4
9.2
9.4

26.0
35.7
30.2
17.2
53.8
25.6

16.8

Sep
15.9
15.6
22.8
23.3
12.0
9.9
18.0
15.0
19.3
14.2
18.9
25.7
8.0

13.1
34.5
12.3
35.1
7.0
8.8
18.6
9.1
9.7

26.5
35.1
28.4
17.2
54.2
23.4

15.5

Prime and Older Workers (25+)

2011
2012
2012
Q2
Q3
Jul
Aug Sep
6.8
6.8
6.8
6.9
6.8
6.8
6.5
6.3
6.3
6.4
6.2
6.2
8.3
9.0
9.2
9.2
9.2
9.3
9.0 10.1 10.3 10.3 10.3 10.4
3.7
3.5
6.0
6.2
5.5
5.9
6.3
11.4
6.1
8.2
5.6
15.9
9.9
5.5
12.8
4.9
7.0
4.3
3.0
4.1
4.0
3.8
4.4
2.4
8.0
11.4
11.8
7.5
19.4
5.2
3.5
7.2
5.8
7.6

3.8
3.7
6.4
6.0
4.9
5.8
6.7
8.7
6.1
8.8
5.2
21.9
9.7
4.8
12.9
5.7
8.8
4.1
2.9
4.2
3.8
4.4
4.9
2.2
8.4
13.6
12.1
7.6
22.4
5.3
3.4
6.4
5.7
6.9

3.9
3.6
6.5
6.0
4.8
5.9
7.0

3.8
3.8
6.5
6.1
4.7
5.9
6.9
8.8
6.2
9.0
5.2
23.1
9.4
4.9
12.9
5.3

9.3
4.9
13.0
5.6

4.9
13.1
5.7

4.0
2.7
4.3
3.7
4.5

3.8
2.7
4.3
3.9
4.5

3.9
2.8
4.3
3.6
4.6

8.6
14.1
12.8
7.8
23.2
5.4

2.2
8.5
14.0
12.7
7.8
23.0
5.3

8.6
14.2
12.8
7.8
23.2
5.3

8.6
14.2
12.8
7.9
23.4
5.6

6.8

6.6
5.8
6.9

6.7

6.6

6.3
9.1
5.1

4.9
13.0
5.6
3.9
2.7
4.3
3.7
4.5
5.2

3.8
3.6
6.5
6.0
4.8
5.9
6.9
9.0
6.3
9.1
5.1

4.1
3.5
6.4
6.0
5.9
7.2
6.3
9.2
5.1

Paris, 13 November 2012

OECD Harmonised Unemployment Rates

News Release: September 2012
Table 4: Unemployment Levels, s.a.
Thousands of persons
2010

2011

OECD - Total
Major Seven
European Union
Euro area

49,145
29,966
23,127
15,928

47,328
28,102
23,209
16,012

Q1
47,573
27,543
24,548
17,260

2012
Q2
47,818
27,500
25,182
17,921

Australia
Austria
Belgium
Canada
Chile
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Korea
Luxembourg
Mexico
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Slovak Republic
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
United Kingdom
United States

620
188
406
1,484
632
380
218
116
224
2,829
2,946
629
475
14
292
209
2,105
3,336
920
11
2,498
390
152
93
1,699
603
387
75
4,632
415
204
2,697
2,440
14,825

614
179
347
1,393
574
351
221
87
209
2,805
2,501
877
470
13
304
180
2,103
3,018
855
12
2,540
389
155
87
1,723
706
366
83
4,999
377
184
2,328
2,534
13,747

626
180
345
1,388
544
356
220
75
202
2,922
2,351
1,071
482
12
311
242
2,556
3,000
879
12
2,530
438
160
84
1,786
801
371
83
5,485
376
197
2,162
2,581
12,746

624
188
359
1,368
516
356
233
70
205
3,018
2,336
1,189
477
11
306
249
2,708
2,897
840
12
2,497
456
162
82
1,796
842
375
84
5,712
383
171
2,125
2,518
12,656

2012
Q3
47,876
27,302
25,611
18,370

Jun
47,985
27,576
25,423
18,133

Jul
48,054
27,649
25,499
18,275

Aug
47,968
27,305
25,582
18,344

Sep
47,593
26,952
25,751
18,490

641
197
359
1,381
507
356
237

641
198
362
1,355
505
357
236
70
205
3,063
2,329
1,238
470
11
307
256
2,739
2,810
823
12
2,490
455

636
199
362
1,377
495
356
235
71
206
3,115
2,317
1,262
466
11
309
239
2,719
2,820
789
13
2,385
469

624
197
359
1,373
507
355
236
70
212
3,147
2,301

663
194
355
1,394

1,806
855
379
83
5,914
392

83
1,798
852
378
84
5,778
384

12,475

2,084
2,531
12,749

210
3,146
2,300

11
311
246
2,735
2,757
794
13
2,437
473
175

358
241
213
3,177
2,282

465
11
311
250
2,713
2,720
788
13
2,547
468

11
312
249
2,774
2,730
806
13
2,378
481

81
1,796
851
380
83
5,856
381

1,806
858
381
83
5,906
398

1,815
855
377
83
5,979
398

2,129
2,507
12,794

12,544

12,088