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The race no EU country wants to win

Race · 29 Oct 2026

Bar chart race of unemployment rates, 2002 to 2025, for 12 EU countries. Poland leads at 20.2% in 2002, then Slovakia, then Spain, in gold, from 2008, Greece from 2013 to 2020 and Spain again from 2021, ending at 10.4%. Poland falls to 3.0%. A note at 2008 marks the crash.

Which EU country has the highest unemployment?

In 2002 Poland had the highest unemployment of these 12 EU countries, 20.2%. Slovakia took over in 2007, Spain after the 2008 crash, Greece from 2013. Since 2021 Spain is on top again, at 10.4% in 2025. Poland is down to 3.0%.

Source: World Bank (ILO modelled estimates), 2025