Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) was 17.4% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Latest (2025)
17.4%
Change on year
up 5.2%
World rank
62nd
of 187 countries
All-time high
25.0%
in 2012
All-time low
11.5%
in 2004
Years of data
35
1991–2025
Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in United Kingdom, 1991–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
In 2025, unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in United Kingdom stood at 17.4%.
The figure is up 5.2% on the previous year and up 4.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in United Kingdom peaked at 25.0% in 2012 and was at its lowest, 11.5%, in 2004.
United Kingdom ranks 62nd of 187 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in United Kingdom, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 16.0% | — |
| 1992 | 19.0% | +19.1% |
| 1993 | 20.8% | +9.4% |
| 1994 | 19.2% | -7.5% |
| 1995 | 17.9% | -6.8% |
| 1996 | 17.8% | -0.6% |
| 1997 | 15.5% | -13.2% |
| 1998 | 13.8% | -10.6% |
| 1999 | 14.0% | +1.6% |
| 2000 | 13.3% | -5.6% |
| 2001 | 11.6% | -12.7% |
| 2002 | 12.6% | +9.1% |
| 2003 | 12.9% | +2.1% |
| 2004 | 11.5% | -10.8% |
| 2005 | 14.7% | +27.5% |
| 2006 | 16.0% | +9.2% |
| 2007 | 16.2% | +1.0% |
| 2008 | 17.4% | +7.7% |
| 2009 | 22.3% | +28.3% |
| 2010 | 22.5% | +0.6% |
| 2011 | 24.2% | +7.8% |
| 2012 | 25.0% | +3.2% |
| 2013 | 23.4% | -6.3% |
| 2014 | 19.5% | -16.5% |
| 2015 | 16.6% | -14.9% |
| 2016 | 14.9% | -10.5% |
| 2017 | 13.9% | -6.4% |
| 2018 | 12.6% | -9.8% |
| 2019 | 12.3% | -2.4% |
| 2020 | 15.0% | +22.5% |
| 2021 | 14.4% | -4.2% |
| 2022 | 12.9% | -10.2% |
| 2023 | 14.2% | +10.1% |
| 2024 | 16.6% | +16.5% |
| 2025 | 17.4% | +5.2% |
United Kingdom compared with similar countries
- United Kingdom's 17.4% is above the median for high income countries, which is 13.9%, 1.3× the median. (62 countries reporting)
- United Kingdom's 17.4% is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 15.0%, 1.2× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 17.1% | 13.8% | 20.8% | 9 |
| 2000s | 14.8% | 11.5% | 22.3% | 10 |
| 2010s | 18.5% | 12.3% | 25.0% | 10 |
| 2020s | 15.1% | 12.9% | 17.4% | 6 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
More work & labour data for United Kingdom
- Persons outside the labour force (ILO modelled estimates) 22,956 (2027)
- Labour force participation rate (ILO modelled estimates) 60.91 (2027)
- Labour force (ILO modelled estimates) 35,770 (2027)
- Unemployment rate (ILO modelled estimates) 4.93 (2027)
- Labour dependency ratio 1.07 (2027)
- Output per worker, GDP constant 2021 international $ at PPP 111,361 (2027)
- Output per worker, GDP constant 2015 US $ 100,223 (2027)
- Employment-to-population ratio (ILO modelled estimates) 57.91 (2027)
- Persons outside the labour force (ILO modelled estimates) (15+) 1.47 % change on previous year (2027)
- Labour force (ILO modelled estimates) (15+), annual growth rate 0.4352 % change on previous year (2027)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in United Kingdom?
- Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in United Kingdom was 17.4% 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 United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 25.0% in 2012.
- What is the lowest unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 11.5% in 2004.
- How does United Kingdom rank for unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24)?
- United Kingdom ranks 62nd out of 187 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is up 4.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this United Kingdom 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.