Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in India
India: Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) was 16.0% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Latest (2025)
16.0%
Change on year
up 1.8%
World rank
72nd
of 187 countries
All-time high
26.0%
in 2018
All-time low
15.6%
in 2023
Years of data
35
1991–2025
Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in India, 1991–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
In 2025, unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in India stood at 16.0%.
The figure is up 1.8% on the previous year and down 35.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in India peaked at 26.0% in 2018 and was at its lowest, 15.6%, in 2023.
That places India 72nd out of 187 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in India, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 20.2% | — |
| 1992 | 20.3% | +0.4% |
| 1993 | 20.4% | +0.5% |
| 1994 | 20.3% | -0.4% |
| 1995 | 20.2% | -0.3% |
| 1996 | 20.1% | -0.4% |
| 1997 | 20.2% | +0.3% |
| 1998 | 20.2% | +0.2% |
| 1999 | 20.2% | -0.2% |
| 2000 | 20.2% | +0.0% |
| 2001 | 20.4% | +1.1% |
| 2002 | 20.8% | +1.7% |
| 2003 | 20.9% | +0.5% |
| 2004 | 21.0% | +0.6% |
| 2005 | 21.1% | +0.6% |
| 2006 | 21.5% | +1.7% |
| 2007 | 21.9% | +1.8% |
| 2008 | 22.4% | +2.5% |
| 2009 | 22.9% | +2.0% |
| 2010 | 23.3% | +1.9% |
| 2011 | 23.6% | +1.5% |
| 2012 | 24.1% | +2.1% |
| 2013 | 24.5% | +1.4% |
| 2014 | 24.7% | +1.0% |
| 2015 | 25.0% | +1.0% |
| 2016 | 25.2% | +1.1% |
| 2017 | 25.6% | +1.4% |
| 2018 | 26.0% | +1.6% |
| 2019 | 22.9% | -11.8% |
| 2020 | 24.7% | +7.5% |
| 2021 | 20.8% | -15.6% |
| 2022 | 17.7% | -14.8% |
| 2023 | 15.6% | -12.1% |
| 2024 | 15.7% | +1.0% |
| 2025 | 16.0% | +1.8% |
India compared with similar countries
- India's 16.0% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 10.1%, 1.6× the median. (46 countries reporting)
- India's 16.0% is below the median for South Asia, which is 16.5%, 97% of the median. (6 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 20.2% | 20.1% | 20.4% | 9 |
| 2000s | 21.3% | 20.2% | 22.9% | 10 |
| 2010s | 24.5% | 22.9% | 26.0% | 10 |
| 2020s | 18.4% | 15.6% | 24.7% | 6 |
Countries ranked near India
More work & labour data for India
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.5076 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.5076 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.5078 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -1.12 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 1.47 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 876,613 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 782,365 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 743,542 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 761,710 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 1.51 million 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in India?
- Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in India was 16.0% 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 India?
- The highest recorded value was 26.0% in 2018.
- What is the lowest unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 15.6% in 2023.
- How does India rank for unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24)?
- India ranks 72nd out of 187 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is down 35.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this India 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.