Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in Nigeria

Nigeria: Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) was 4.4% in 2024. ▼ Falling

Latest (2024)
4.4%
Change on year
up 9.1%
World rank
137th
of 157 countries
All-time high
11.5%
in 1986
All-time low
4.0%
in 2023
Years of data
7
1986–2024

Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in Nigeria, 1986–2024

46810121986200520241986: 11.52011: 10.42013: 92019: 8.82022: 4.82023: 42024: 4.4

Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).

Analysis

The most recent figure for unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in Nigeria is 4.4%, measured in 2024.

That represents a change of up 9.1% on the previous year and down 51.6% over ten years.

Over the whole period, unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in Nigeria peaked at 11.5% in 1986 and was at its lowest, 4.0%, in 2023.

Nigeria ranks 137th of 157 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in Nigeria, year by year

Annual values for Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate) in Nigeria, 1986 to 2024.
Year Value Change
1986 11.5%
2011 10.4% -10.0%
2013 9.0% -13.2%
2019 8.8% -2.4%
2022 4.8% -45.3%
2023 4.0% -17.0%
2024 4.4% +9.1%

Nigeria compared with similar countries

  • Nigeria's 4.4% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 8.6%, 50% of the median. (32 countries reporting)
  • Nigeria's 4.4% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 8.6%, 51% of the median. (26 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1980s 11.5% 11.5% 11.5% 1
2010s 9.4% 8.8% 10.4% 3
2020s 4.4% 4.0% 4.8% 3

Countries ranked near Nigeria

  1. 134 Mexico 5.2% compare
  2. 135 Cameroon 5.2% compare
  3. 136 Israel 4.8% compare
  4. 138 Myanmar 4.1% compare
  5. 139 Japan 4.0% compare
  6. 140 Cote d'Ivoire 4.0% compare

See the full ranking of 178 places →

More work & labour data for Nigeria

All data for Nigeria →

Frequently asked questions

What is unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in Nigeria?
Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in Nigeria was 4.4% in 2024, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
What is the highest unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) recorded in Nigeria?
The highest recorded value was 11.5% in 1986.
What is the lowest unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) recorded in Nigeria?
The lowest recorded value was 4.0% in 2023.
How does Nigeria rank for unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24)?
Nigeria ranks 137th out of 157 countries with data for 2024.
Is unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) rising or falling in Nigeria?
Over the last ten years it is down 51.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
Where does this Nigeria data come from?
The figures come from Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in Nigeria. Statizoid, drawing on Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO). Retrieved 18 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/unemployment-youth-male-percent-of-male-labor-force-ages-15-24-national-estimate/nigeria/

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About this data

Indicator
Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate)
Source
Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
178 places, 4,082 data points, 1960–2025
Last refreshed

Youth unemployment refers to the share of the labor force ages 15-24 without work but available for and seeking employment. Definitions of labor force and unemployment differ by country.