Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in Rwanda
Rwanda: Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) was 7.8% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in Rwanda, 1996–2025
Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
Rwanda recorded 7.8% for unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 45.0% on the previous year and up 478.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in Rwanda peaked at 22.3% in 2021 and was at its lowest, 1.0%, in 1996.
That places Rwanda 117th out of 157 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
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 Rwanda, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 1.0% | — |
| 2014 | 1.4% | +31.7% |
| 2017 | 15.5% | +1042.8% |
| 2018 | 15.7% | +1.2% |
| 2019 | 15.4% | -1.9% |
| 2020 | 14.6% | -5.0% |
| 2021 | 22.3% | +52.6% |
| 2022 | 20.9% | -6.3% |
| 2023 | 16.4% | -21.6% |
| 2024 | 14.3% | -13.1% |
| 2025 | 7.8% | -45.0% |
Rwanda compared with similar countries
- Rwanda's 7.8% is above the median for low income countries, which is 7.8%, 1.0× the median. (9 countries reporting)
- Rwanda's 7.8% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 8.6%, 91% of the median. (26 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 1.0% | 1.0% | 1.0% | 1 |
| 2010s | 12.0% | 1.4% | 15.7% | 4 |
| 2020s | 16.1% | 7.8% | 22.3% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Rwanda
More work & labour data for Rwanda
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.267 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.2752 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.2591 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate 0.3518 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 3.32 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 6,483 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 15,403 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 16,639 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 16,140 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 32,779 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in Rwanda?
- Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in Rwanda was 7.8% in 2025, 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 Rwanda?
- The highest recorded value was 22.3% in 2021.
- What is the lowest unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) recorded in Rwanda?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.0% in 1996.
- How does Rwanda rank for unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24)?
- Rwanda ranks 117th out of 157 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) rising or falling in Rwanda?
- Over the last ten years it is up 478.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Rwanda 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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About this data
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.