Unemployment rates, by selected countries

Canada’s unemployment rate ranks in the middle

• Canada’s unemployment rate remained in the middle of the pack in 2007: France and Germany had the highest rates while the Netherlands and Japan posted the lowest. From 1997 to 2007, Italy, Sweden, Australia, France and Canada saw the largest decreases in their unemployment rates, from 3 to 5 percentage points. Australia and Canada’s unemployment rates in 2007 were the lowest in over 30 years.

• Japan was the only country that had an increase in their unemployment rate from 1997 to 2007. Japan’s unemployment rate rose steadily from the early 1990s onward—by 2002, it had reached a record 5.4%. However, the rate has since declined, falling to 3.9% by 2007.

• Unemployment rates among youths (16 to 24 years) are generally higher than other age groups. In 2007, youth unemployment rates in Australia, Canada, and the United States were similar, ranging from 9.4% to 10.5%. The lowest unemployment rates among youth were in the Netherlands (6.0%) and Japan (7.8%) while the highest were in Italy (20.6%), France (20.0%) and Sweden (19.1%).

Chart P.6
Unemployment rates, by selected countries, 1997 and 2007

Note: Data have been adjusted to approximate U.S. measurement concepts.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.