Unemployment rate (annual) in Israel

Central Bureau of Statistics · Annual · Importance

IMF forecast (WEO): 2026: 3.2% 2027: 3.3% 2028: 3.5% 2029: 3.6% 2030: 3.6% 2031: 3.6%

-0.106 (2025) YOY · pp · Annual · CSV

Period	pp
Jan 2025	-0.106
Jan 2024	0.224
Jan 2023	-0.324
Jan 2022	-1.117
Jan 2021	0.643
Jan 2020	0.438
Jan 2019	-0.186
Jan 2018	-0.223
Jan 2017	-0.583
Jan 2016	-0.453
Jan 2015	-0.613
Jan 2014	-0.348
Jan 2013	-0.625
Jan 2012	-0.377
Jan 2011	-1.341
Jan 2010	-1.054
Jan 2009	1.830
Jan 2008	-1.675
Jan 2007	-1.328
Jan 2006	-0.635
Jan 2005	-1.687
Jan 2004	-0.476
Jan 2003	0.617
Jan 2002	1.076
Jan 2001	0.710
Jan 2000	-0.081
Jan 1999	0.434
Jan 1998	0.998
Jan 1997	1.296
Jan 1996	-0.327
Jan 1995	-1.152
Jan 1994	-2.807
Jan 1993	-1.339
Jan 1992	0.693

About this indicator

Source

Central Bureau of Statistics

Frequency

Annual

Release

Published annually, covering the full year and subject to revision.

What it is

Israel's unemployment rate is the share of jobless people in the labour force. Published by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) from its Labour Force Survey, it is the main gauge of the Israeli labour market.

How it's calculated

Derived from the CBS Labour Force Survey of a sample of households, on ILO criteria: someone without a job, available and actively seeking is counted as unemployed. The rate is released, with a seasonally adjusted version.

Market implications

A strong labour market supports household consumption and income and is a key input for Bank of Israel policy and the shekel. A rising rate signals weaker activity, something especially sensitive during periods of geopolitical tension.

Limitations

It is worth distinguishing whether the rate moves because of labour demand or shifts in the labour force. Being survey-based, it is subject to sampling error and revisions, and reservist call-ups can distort the read of the labour market.