Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages) … national in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe: Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages) … national was 14.8% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in Zimbabwe, 1997–2025
Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
In 2025, unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in Zimbabwe stood at 14.8%.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 27.4% on the previous year and up 150.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in Zimbabwe peaked at 20.7% in 1997 and was at its lowest, 5.9%, in 2014.
Zimbabwe ranks 62nd of 157 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages) … national in Zimbabwe, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 20.7% | — |
| 1999 | 17.0% | -17.9% |
| 2004 | 7.1% | -58.1% |
| 2011 | 7.7% | +8.5% |
| 2014 | 5.9% | -23.4% |
| 2019 | 11.2% | +88.8% |
| 2021 | 14.4% | +28.6% |
| 2022 | 16.8% | +16.8% |
| 2023 | 14.9% | -11.3% |
| 2024 | 20.4% | +37.0% |
| 2025 | 14.8% | -27.4% |
Zimbabwe compared with similar countries
- Zimbabwe's 14.8% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 7.9%, 1.9× the median. (32 countries reporting)
- Zimbabwe's 14.8% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 8.0%, 1.9× the median. (26 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 18.8% | 17.0% | 20.7% | 2 |
| 2000s | 7.1% | 7.1% | 7.1% | 1 |
| 2010s | 8.3% | 5.9% | 11.2% | 3 |
| 2020s | 16.3% | 14.4% | 20.4% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Zimbabwe
More work & labour data for Zimbabwe
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.1887 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.1727 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.2032 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate 0.0937 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 2.81 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 13,627 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 16,032 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 19,130 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 18,036 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 37,167 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in Zimbabwe?
- Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in Zimbabwe was 14.8% 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 Zimbabwe?
- The highest recorded value was 20.7% in 1997.
- What is the lowest unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) recorded in Zimbabwe?
- The lowest recorded value was 5.9% in 2014.
- How does Zimbabwe rank for unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24)?
- Zimbabwe ranks 62nd out of 157 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) rising or falling in Zimbabwe?
- Over the last ten years it is up 150.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Zimbabwe 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.