Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in Maldives
Maldives: Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) was 19.5% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in Maldives, 1991–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
The most recent figure for unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in Maldives is 19.5%, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of up 6.0% on the previous year and up 0.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in Maldives peaked at 27.0% in 2009 and was at its lowest, 1.4%, in 1995.
That places Maldives 45th out of 187 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in Maldives, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 1.4% | — |
| 1992 | 1.4% | +0.2% |
| 1993 | 1.4% | +0.6% |
| 1994 | 1.4% | -0.5% |
| 1995 | 1.4% | -0.5% |
| 1996 | 1.9% | +35.4% |
| 1997 | 2.4% | +26.5% |
| 1998 | 2.9% | +21.5% |
| 1999 | 3.5% | +17.7% |
| 2000 | 4.0% | +15.2% |
| 2001 | 6.6% | +65.6% |
| 2002 | 9.1% | +38.8% |
| 2003 | 11.6% | +27.2% |
| 2004 | 14.1% | +21.2% |
| 2005 | 16.8% | +19.3% |
| 2006 | 19.2% | +14.2% |
| 2007 | 21.6% | +12.3% |
| 2008 | 23.8% | +10.4% |
| 2009 | 27.0% | +13.3% |
| 2010 | 25.6% | -5.0% |
| 2011 | 24.4% | -4.7% |
| 2012 | 23.2% | -5.0% |
| 2013 | 22.1% | -4.5% |
| 2014 | 21.0% | -5.3% |
| 2015 | 19.3% | -7.8% |
| 2016 | 17.4% | -9.8% |
| 2017 | 16.9% | -3.4% |
| 2018 | 16.3% | -3.5% |
| 2019 | 15.7% | -3.2% |
| 2020 | 18.9% | +19.8% |
| 2021 | 18.0% | -4.3% |
| 2022 | 17.1% | -5.4% |
| 2023 | 17.2% | +0.8% |
| 2024 | 18.4% | +6.7% |
| 2025 | 19.5% | +6.0% |
Maldives compared with similar countries
- Maldives's 19.5% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 14.4%, 1.4× the median. (53 countries reporting)
- Maldives's 19.5% is above the median for South Asia, which is 15.7%, 1.2× the median. (6 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 2.0% | 1.4% | 3.5% | 9 |
| 2000s | 15.4% | 4.0% | 27.0% | 10 |
| 2010s | 20.2% | 15.7% | 25.6% | 10 |
| 2020s | 18.2% | 17.1% | 19.5% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Maldives
More work & labour data for Maldives
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.3002 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.4913 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.1384 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -0.545 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 1.23 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 310.55 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 265.89 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 257.6 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 217.32 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 474.92 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in Maldives?
- Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in Maldives was 19.5% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) recorded in Maldives?
- The highest recorded value was 27.0% in 2009.
- What is the lowest unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) recorded in Maldives?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.4% in 1995.
- How does Maldives rank for unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24)?
- Maldives ranks 45th out of 187 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) rising or falling in Maldives?
- Over the last ten years it is up 0.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Maldives data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Unemployment, youth male (% of male 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.