Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Botswana
Botswana: Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) was 46.0% in 2025. ▲ Rising
Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Botswana, 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 Botswana is 46.0%, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.6% on the previous year and up 32.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Botswana peaked at 47.0% in 2003 and was at its lowest, 25.7%, in 1991.
Botswana ranks 5th of 187 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 35 years of available data.
Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Botswana, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 25.7% | — |
| 1992 | 29.5% | +14.7% |
| 1993 | 33.1% | +12.4% |
| 1994 | 36.8% | +11.0% |
| 1995 | 36.8% | -0.0% |
| 1996 | 36.8% | +0.2% |
| 1997 | 37.4% | +1.6% |
| 1998 | 38.7% | +3.4% |
| 1999 | 35.3% | -8.8% |
| 2000 | 32.1% | -9.0% |
| 2001 | 39.2% | +22.2% |
| 2002 | 43.5% | +10.8% |
| 2003 | 47.0% | +8.2% |
| 2004 | 41.7% | -11.4% |
| 2005 | 36.8% | -11.7% |
| 2006 | 31.9% | -13.3% |
| 2007 | 31.6% | -1.0% |
| 2008 | 31.5% | -0.4% |
| 2009 | 32.3% | +2.7% |
| 2010 | 35.1% | +8.5% |
| 2011 | 35.2% | +0.3% |
| 2012 | 34.7% | -1.5% |
| 2013 | 34.6% | -0.1% |
| 2014 | 34.6% | -0.0% |
| 2015 | 34.7% | +0.4% |
| 2016 | 34.9% | +0.3% |
| 2017 | 34.9% | +0.1% |
| 2018 | 34.4% | -1.3% |
| 2019 | 34.6% | +0.5% |
| 2020 | 40.4% | +16.9% |
| 2021 | 43.4% | +7.2% |
| 2022 | 42.6% | -1.7% |
| 2023 | 44.4% | +4.1% |
| 2024 | 45.3% | +2.1% |
| 2025 | 46.0% | +1.6% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 34.5% | 25.7% | 38.7% | 9 |
| 2000s | 36.8% | 31.5% | 47.0% | 10 |
| 2010s | 34.8% | 34.4% | 35.2% | 10 |
| 2020s | 43.7% | 40.4% | 46.0% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Botswana
More work & labour data for Botswana
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.146 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.1401 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.1516 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -0.9387 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 1.07 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 2,871 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 550.66 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 1,969 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 1,868 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 3,837 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Botswana?
- Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Botswana was 46.0% 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 Botswana?
- The highest recorded value was 47.0% in 2003.
- What is the lowest unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) recorded in Botswana?
- The lowest recorded value was 25.7% in 1991.
- How does Botswana rank for unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24)?
- Botswana ranks 5th out of 187 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) rising or falling in Botswana?
- Over the last ten years it is up 32.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Botswana 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.