Japan’s unemployment rate fell to 2.5% in April 2026, below both market expectations and March’s 2.7% reading. The figure marked the lowest jobless rate since July 2025, as the number of unemployed decreased by 70 thousand to an eight-month low of 1.79 million. Meantime, employment jumped by 610 thousand to a record high of 68.76 million, while the labor force increased 53 thousand to a record 70.55 million. The number of people outside the labor force declined by 540 thousand to a record low of 39.00 million. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, the labor force participation rate was up to 64.4% from 63.6% in March and 63.7% a year earlier. Simultaneously, the jobs-to-applicants ratio held steady at 1.18, in line with forecasts. source: Ministry of Internal Affairs & Communications

Unemployment Rate in Japan decreased to 2.50 percent in April from 2.70 percent in March of 2026. Unemployment Rate in Japan averaged 2.71 percent from 1953 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 5.50 percent in June of 2002 and a record low of 1.00 percent in November of 1968. This page provides the latest reported value for - Japan Unemployment Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. Japan Unemployment Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on June of 2026.

Unemployment Rate in Japan decreased to 2.50 percent in April from 2.70 percent in March of 2026. Unemployment Rate in Japan is expected to be 2.70 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Japan Unemployment Rate is projected to trend around 2.60 percent in 2027, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-04-27 11:30 PM
Unemployment Rate
Mar 2.7% 2.6% 2.6% 2.70%
2026-05-28 11:30 PM
Unemployment Rate
Apr 2.5% 2.7% 2.7% 2.7%
2026-06-29 11:30 PM
Unemployment Rate
May 2.5%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Employment Rate 62.60 61.80 percent Apr 2026
Jobs/applications ratio 1.18 1.18 Apr 2026
Labor Force Participation Rate 64.40 63.60 percent Apr 2026
Unemployment Rate 2.50 2.70 percent Apr 2026
Youth Unemployment Rate 3.60 3.80 percent Apr 2026


Japan Unemployment Rate
In Japan, the unemployment rate measures the number of people actively looking for a job as a percentage of the labour force.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
2.50 2.70 5.50 1.00 1953 - 2026 percent Monthly
SA

News Stream
Japan Jobless Rate Unexpectedly Eases
Japan’s unemployment rate fell to 2.5% in April 2026, below both market expectations and March’s 2.7% reading. The figure marked the lowest jobless rate since July 2025, as the number of unemployed decreased by 70 thousand to an eight-month low of 1.79 million. Meantime, employment jumped by 610 thousand to a record high of 68.76 million, while the labor force increased 53 thousand to a record 70.55 million. The number of people outside the labor force declined by 540 thousand to a record low of 39.00 million. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, the labor force participation rate was up to 64.4% from 63.6% in March and 63.7% a year earlier. Simultaneously, the jobs-to-applicants ratio held steady at 1.18, in line with forecasts.
2026-05-28
Japan Jobless Rate Unexpectedly Edges Up to 2.7%
Japan’s unemployment rate rose to 2.7% in March 2026, slightly above market expectations and up from 2.6% in the previous month. The number of unemployed increased by 10 thousand to 1.86 million. Meanwhile, employment declined by 120 thousand to an 11-month low of 68.15 million, while the labor force shrank by 100 thousand to a seven-month low of 70.02 million. The number of people outside the labor force rose by 80 thousand to a seven-month high of 39.54 million. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, the labor force participation rate edged up to 63.6% from 63.5% in February and was slightly higher than 63.3% a year earlier. Meanwhile, the jobs-to-applicants ratio stood at 1.18, in line with forecasts but easing from 1.19 in February.
2026-04-27
Japan Jobless Rate Eases to 2.6% in February
Japan’s unemployment rate was at 2.6% in February 2026, compared with January's 1-1/2-year high and market forecasts of 2.7%. The number of unemployed fell by 60 thousand to 1.85 million. Meantime, employment added 10 thousand to 68.27 million, while the labor force increased 40 thousand to 70.12 million. The number of people outside the labor force edged up 10 thousand to a five-month high of 39.46 million. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, the labor force participation rate was at 63.5%, unchanged from January but up from 63.2% a year earlier. Meanwhile, the jobs-to-applicants ratio stood at 1.19, slightly above both January’s reading and forecasts of 1.18.
2026-03-30