Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in South Asia
South Asia: Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) was 15.4% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in South Asia, 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 South Asia is 15.4%, measured in 2025.
The figure is up 1.2% on the previous year and down 34.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in South Asia peaked at 24.3% in 2018 and was at its lowest, 15.2%, in 2024.
South Asia ranks 11th of 47 groups on this measure, in the top quarter.
Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in South Asia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 19.2% | — |
| 1992 | 19.2% | +0.3% |
| 1993 | 19.3% | +0.5% |
| 1994 | 19.2% | -0.5% |
| 1995 | 19.2% | -0.4% |
| 1996 | 19.0% | -0.6% |
| 1997 | 19.1% | +0.5% |
| 1998 | 19.1% | +0.0% |
| 1999 | 19.2% | +0.1% |
| 2000 | 19.2% | +0.2% |
| 2001 | 19.3% | +0.7% |
| 2002 | 19.6% | +1.2% |
| 2003 | 19.5% | -0.3% |
| 2004 | 19.7% | +0.9% |
| 2005 | 19.8% | +0.7% |
| 2006 | 19.9% | +0.6% |
| 2007 | 20.4% | +2.3% |
| 2008 | 21.0% | +2.9% |
| 2009 | 21.5% | +2.6% |
| 2010 | 21.7% | +0.7% |
| 2011 | 22.1% | +1.8% |
| 2012 | 22.6% | +2.6% |
| 2013 | 23.0% | +1.8% |
| 2014 | 23.2% | +0.7% |
| 2015 | 23.4% | +0.7% |
| 2016 | 23.6% | +0.8% |
| 2017 | 23.9% | +1.3% |
| 2018 | 24.3% | +1.8% |
| 2019 | 21.6% | -11.3% |
| 2020 | 23.5% | +9.0% |
| 2021 | 20.6% | -12.5% |
| 2022 | 17.2% | -16.4% |
| 2023 | 15.2% | -11.3% |
| 2024 | 15.2% | -0.5% |
| 2025 | 15.4% | +1.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 19.2% | 19.0% | 19.3% | 9 |
| 2000s | 20.0% | 19.2% | 21.5% | 10 |
| 2010s | 22.9% | 21.6% | 24.3% | 10 |
| 2020s | 17.8% | 15.2% | 23.5% | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Asia
More work & labour data for South Asia
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) 33.0% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) 77.4% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) 55.6% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24, female (%) 19.6% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24, male (%) 45.4% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24, total (%) 33.0% (2025)
- Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) 42.6% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages) 59.0% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages) 35.5% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) 81.2% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in South Asia?
- Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in South Asia was 15.4% 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 South Asia?
- The highest recorded value was 24.3% in 2018.
- What is the lowest unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) recorded in South Asia?
- The lowest recorded value was 15.2% in 2024.
- How does South Asia rank for unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24)?
- South Asia ranks 11th out of 47 groups with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) rising or falling in South Asia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 34.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this South Asia 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.