Israel Unemployment Ticks Up to 2.8% in March

Israel’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged down to 2.8% in May 2026 from a revised 3.0% in the previous month. Meanwhile, the non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose slightly to 2.9% from 2.8% in April. Based on seasonally adjusted data, the number of unemployed individuals increased by 4,200 to 128,100. At the same time, the labor force participation rate inched up to 61.9% from 61.6%, pointing to a modest increase in workforce activity, while the employment rate also improved slightly to 60.1% from 59.9%.

Israel’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged up to 2.9% in April 2026 from 2.8% in the previous month, marking the highest level recorded since January. The non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate also rose to 2.8% from 2.5% in March. At the same time, the number of unemployed individuals increased by 10,000 to reach 123,900. Meanwhile, the labor force participation rate inched up to 62% from 61.9%, indicating a slight increase in workforce activity, while the employment rate remained unchanged at 60.2% in April.

Israel’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose slightly to 2.8% in March 2026, up from an eight-month low of 2.7% in February. The non-seasonally adjusted jobless rate, however, fell to 2.5% from 2.6%, with the number of unemployed decreasing by 3,500 to 113,900. Meanwhile, the labor force participation rate declined to 62.0% from 62.4%, signaling a modest reduction in workforce engagement. The employment rate also dropped to 60.2% from 60.8% in February.