World-Wide Job Picture: U.S. jobless rate was worst in industrialized world for 20 months - by by G. Scott Thomas

The US had the worst jobless rate in the industrialized world during a 20-month stretch of the recession -- but that's no longer the case
.
The United States replaced France at the top of the international unemployment rankings in May 2009. It stayed in that unhappy position every month through the end of 2010.

France regained the unemployment lead in January 2011 and retained it through July, the latest month for which comparative figures are available from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics .

The Netherlands consistently posted the lowest jobless marks during the recession. Its worst rate was 4.6 percent in January and July 2010. The American rates in those months were 9.7 percent and 9.5 percent, respectively. 

For more: U.S. jobless rate was worst in industrialized world for 20 months - The Business Journals