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. source: Ministry of Internal Affairs & Communications

Unemployment Rate in Japan increased to 2.70 percent in March from 2.60 percent in February 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 May of 2026.

Unemployment Rate in Japan increased to 2.70 percent in March from 2.60 percent in February 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
2026-03-30 11:30 PM
Unemployment Rate
Feb 2.6% 2.7% 2.7% 2.7%
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 2.7%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Employment Rate 61.80 61.90 percent Mar 2026
Jobs/applications ratio 1.18 1.19 Mar 2026
Labor Force Participation Rate 63.60 63.50 percent Mar 2026
Unemployment Rate 2.70 2.60 percent Mar 2026
Youth Unemployment Rate 3.80 3.80 percent Mar 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
2.70 2.60 5.50 1.00 1953 - 2026 percent Monthly
SA

News Stream
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
Japan Jobless Rate Highest in 1-1/2 Years
Japan’s unemployment rate was at 2.7% in January 2026, edging higher from figures in the prior five months and market forecasts of 2.6% and, marking the highest level since July 2024. The number of unemployed grew by 60 thousand to a 4-year high of 1.91 million. Meanwhile, employment fell by 290 thousand to 68.17 million, while the labor force dropped 210 thousand to a five-month low of 70.08 million. The number of people outside the labor force increased by 170 thousand to a four-month high of 39.45 million. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, the labor force participation rate increased to 63.5%, down from 63.9% in December but up from 63.2% a year earlier. Meanwhile, the jobs-to-applicants ratio stood at 1.18, compared with December's reading and estimates of 1.19.
2026-03-02