Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Belgium
Belgium: Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) was 17.8% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Latest (2025)
17.8%
Change on year
up 2.5%
World rank
64th
of 187 countries
All-time high
23.7%
in 2013
All-time low
13.2%
in 1992
Years of data
35
1991–2025
Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Belgium, 1991–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
The most recent figure for unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Belgium is 17.8%, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of up 2.5% on the previous year and down 19.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Belgium peaked at 23.7% in 2013 and was at its lowest, 13.2%, in 1992.
Belgium ranks 64th of 187 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Belgium, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 14.0% | — |
| 1992 | 13.2% | -5.4% |
| 1993 | 18.4% | +39.6% |
| 1994 | 21.9% | +18.6% |
| 1995 | 21.5% | -1.5% |
| 1996 | 20.5% | -4.8% |
| 1997 | 21.3% | +3.8% |
| 1998 | 20.4% | -4.2% |
| 1999 | 22.6% | +10.7% |
| 2000 | 15.2% | -32.5% |
| 2001 | 15.3% | +0.5% |
| 2002 | 15.7% | +2.1% |
| 2003 | 19.0% | +21.3% |
| 2004 | 17.5% | -7.8% |
| 2005 | 21.5% | +22.7% |
| 2006 | 20.5% | -4.5% |
| 2007 | 18.8% | -8.1% |
| 2008 | 18.0% | -4.6% |
| 2009 | 21.9% | +22.1% |
| 2010 | 22.4% | +2.1% |
| 2011 | 18.7% | -16.4% |
| 2012 | 19.7% | +5.4% |
| 2013 | 23.7% | +20.0% |
| 2014 | 23.2% | -2.0% |
| 2015 | 22.1% | -4.7% |
| 2016 | 20.1% | -9.1% |
| 2017 | 19.2% | -4.3% |
| 2018 | 15.7% | -18.1% |
| 2019 | 14.2% | -9.6% |
| 2020 | 15.3% | +7.7% |
| 2021 | 18.2% | +18.8% |
| 2022 | 16.4% | -9.9% |
| 2023 | 16.1% | -1.8% |
| 2024 | 17.3% | +7.6% |
| 2025 | 17.8% | +2.5% |
Belgium compared with similar countries
- Belgium's 17.8% is above the median for high income countries, which is 13.8%, 1.3× the median. (62 countries reporting)
- Belgium's 17.8% is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 14.4%, 1.2× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 19.3% | 13.2% | 22.6% | 9 |
| 2000s | 18.3% | 15.2% | 21.9% | 10 |
| 2010s | 19.9% | 14.2% | 23.7% | 10 |
| 2020s | 16.9% | 15.3% | 18.2% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Belgium
More work & labour data for Belgium
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.1652 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.1676 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.1614 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -1.59 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.1395 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 12,349 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 139 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 5,498 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 5,563 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 11,061 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Belgium?
- Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Belgium was 17.8% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) recorded in Belgium?
- The highest recorded value was 23.7% in 2013.
- What is the lowest unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) recorded in Belgium?
- The lowest recorded value was 13.2% in 1992.
- How does Belgium rank for unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24)?
- Belgium ranks 64th out of 187 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) rising or falling in Belgium?
- Over the last ten years it is down 19.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Belgium data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Unemployment, youth total (% of total 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.