Unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) in Namibia
Namibia: Unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) was 39.5% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Latest (2025)
39.5%
Change on year
up 4.0%
World rank
15th
of 187 countries
All-time high
51.7%
in 2016
All-time low
33.6%
in 1991
Years of data
35
1991–2025
Unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) in Namibia, 1991–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
The most recent figure for unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) in Namibia is 39.5%, measured in 2025.
The figure is up 4.0% on the previous year and down 15.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) in Namibia peaked at 51.7% in 2016 and was at its lowest, 33.6%, in 1991.
That places Namibia 15th out of 187 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top 10%.
Unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) in Namibia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 33.6% | — |
| 1992 | 34.6% | +3.2% |
| 1993 | 36.4% | +5.0% |
| 1994 | 38.4% | +5.6% |
| 1995 | 42.3% | +10.1% |
| 1996 | 45.5% | +7.6% |
| 1997 | 48.9% | +7.6% |
| 1998 | 46.6% | -4.7% |
| 1999 | 44.2% | -5.2% |
| 2000 | 41.8% | -5.4% |
| 2001 | 44.2% | +5.6% |
| 2002 | 46.2% | +4.5% |
| 2003 | 48.2% | +4.5% |
| 2004 | 49.2% | +2.0% |
| 2005 | 49.1% | -0.1% |
| 2006 | 48.5% | -1.2% |
| 2007 | 48.9% | +0.8% |
| 2008 | 48.6% | -0.6% |
| 2009 | 49.1% | +1.0% |
| 2010 | 48.8% | -0.5% |
| 2011 | 44.3% | -9.2% |
| 2012 | 39.7% | -10.5% |
| 2013 | 45.2% | +13.9% |
| 2014 | 42.5% | -6.0% |
| 2015 | 46.9% | +10.3% |
| 2016 | 51.7% | +10.4% |
| 2017 | 45.8% | -11.5% |
| 2018 | 38.5% | -15.9% |
| 2019 | 38.7% | +0.5% |
| 2020 | 42.8% | +10.4% |
| 2021 | 41.0% | -4.1% |
| 2022 | 38.6% | -5.8% |
| 2023 | 37.9% | -1.8% |
| 2024 | 38.0% | +0.2% |
| 2025 | 39.5% | +4.0% |
Namibia compared with similar countries
- Namibia's 39.5% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 11.3%, 3.5× the median. (46 countries reporting)
- Namibia's 39.5% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 9.5%, 4.2× the median. (47 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 41.2% | 33.6% | 48.9% | 9 |
| 2000s | 47.4% | 41.8% | 49.2% | 10 |
| 2010s | 44.2% | 38.5% | 51.7% | 10 |
| 2020s | 39.6% | 37.9% | 42.8% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Namibia
More work & labour data for Namibia
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.0916 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.0906 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.0929 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -0.3746 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 1.88 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 3,116 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 1,223 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 3,070 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 2,828 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 5,898 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) in Namibia?
- Unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) in Namibia was 39.5% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) recorded in Namibia?
- The highest recorded value was 51.7% in 2016.
- What is the lowest unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) recorded in Namibia?
- The lowest recorded value was 33.6% in 1991.
- How does Namibia rank for unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24)?
- Namibia ranks 15th out of 187 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) rising or falling in Namibia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 15.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Namibia data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) (modeled ILO estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Youth unemployment refers to the share of the labor force ages 15-24 without work but available for and seeking employment.