Article analyzes the evolution of the phenomenon of unemployment in the current global crisis conditions, which crosses the world economy and has considerably influenced the labor market situation in all countries, regardless the economic development. Unemployment in OECD countries increased from 5.5% at the end of 2007 to 8.5% in July 2009, recording the highest level after the Second World War. One of the main causes of unemployment is the fluctuations of economic conjuncture, decrease or stagnation of economic activity during the crisis period. Specificity of unemployment in the current crisis is necessary to be taken into account in the development of anti-crisis policies.