North Korea vs South Korea: Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24)
North Korea
7.2%
in 2025
South Korea
6.7%
in 2025
North Korea rank
140th
South Korea rank
142nd
Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) over time
- North Korea
- South Korea
How they compare
North Korea currently reports 7.2% against 6.7% in South Korea, a difference of 0.5%.
That makes North Korea's figure about 1.1 times South Korea's.
The two have swapped places 1 time across 35 shared years of data; in 1991 it was South Korea ahead.
North Korea ranks 140th and South Korea ranks 142nd of 187 countries.
South Korea has averaged higher in every one of the 4 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | North Korea | South Korea | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 5.7% | 10.8% | 5.1% | South Korea |
| 2000s | 6.9% | 10.5% | 3.6% | South Korea |
| 2010s | 7.0% | 9.7% | 2.7% | South Korea |
| 2020s | 7.2% | 7.5% | 0.4% | South Korea |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24), North Korea or South Korea?
- North Korea, at 7.2% against 6.7% in South Korea as of 2025.
- What is the difference in unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) between North Korea and South Korea?
- 0.5%, with North Korea ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for North Korea and South Korea?
- 35 years are reported by both, from 1991 to 2025.
- How do North Korea and South Korea rank globally for unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24)?
- North Korea ranks 140th and South Korea ranks 142nd of 187 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) (modeled ILO estimate). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
Individual pages
About this data
Youth unemployment refers to the share of the labor force ages 15-24 without work but available for and seeking employment.