ILO Report Projects Global Unemployment Rate to Remain at Historically Low 4.9% in 2026
The International Labour Organization (ILO) in its 'World Employment and Social Trends 2026' report projects the global unemployment rate to stay at a historically low level of 4.9%. However, the report warns of rising numbers of 'working poor' and informal workers in low-income countries. About 284 million workers still live in extreme poverty, earning less than $3.00 a day. The report highlights that while headline numbers look positive, structural transformations, digital shifts, and trade uncertainties continue to challenge the quality of jobs and gender equality in the global workforce.
Key Points
- 186 million people are projected to be unemployed globally this year despite the low percentage rate.
- Over two billion workers remain in informal employment, which is a persistent feature of the economic landscape.
- Extreme poverty among workers declined by only 3.1 percentage points between 2015 and 2025.
- Gender gaps remain widespread with limited advances in reducing the burden of unpaid family work.
Exam Facts
- ILO World Employment and Social Trends 2026 report
- Global unemployment rate: 4.9%
- 284 million workers in extreme poverty (<$3.00/day)
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