Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Kuwait
Kuwait: Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) was 15.1% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
15.1%
Change on year
down 0.6%
World rank
79th
of 187 countries
All-time high
19.1%
in 2020
All-time low
2.6%
in 1999
Years of data
35
1991–2025
Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Kuwait, 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 Kuwait is 15.1%, measured in 2025.
The figure is down 0.6% on the previous year and down 6.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Kuwait peaked at 19.1% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 2.6%, in 1999.
Kuwait ranks 79th of 187 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Kuwait, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 3.2% | — |
| 1992 | 3.2% | -1.2% |
| 1993 | 3.1% | -4.4% |
| 1994 | 2.9% | -5.2% |
| 1995 | 3.0% | +2.2% |
| 1996 | 2.9% | -3.1% |
| 1997 | 2.7% | -4.6% |
| 1998 | 2.7% | -2.8% |
| 1999 | 2.6% | -2.2% |
| 2000 | 3.0% | +14.5% |
| 2001 | 3.0% | -0.4% |
| 2002 | 4.2% | +41.9% |
| 2003 | 5.2% | +23.6% |
| 2004 | 7.3% | +40.4% |
| 2005 | 6.6% | -10.3% |
| 2006 | 5.9% | -10.9% |
| 2007 | 6.9% | +17.1% |
| 2008 | 7.8% | +14.0% |
| 2009 | 7.2% | -7.4% |
| 2010 | 8.6% | +18.5% |
| 2011 | 10.3% | +20.0% |
| 2012 | 12.0% | +16.5% |
| 2013 | 13.6% | +13.7% |
| 2014 | 15.5% | +13.4% |
| 2015 | 16.2% | +4.6% |
| 2016 | 15.1% | -6.4% |
| 2017 | 15.3% | +0.7% |
| 2018 | 15.2% | -0.2% |
| 2019 | 15.2% | -0.0% |
| 2020 | 19.1% | +25.2% |
| 2021 | 17.8% | -6.8% |
| 2022 | 15.2% | -14.4% |
| 2023 | 15.1% | -0.7% |
| 2024 | 15.1% | +0.4% |
| 2025 | 15.1% | -0.6% |
Kuwait compared with similar countries
- Kuwait's 15.1% is above the median for high income countries, which is 13.8%, 1.1× the median. (62 countries reporting)
- Kuwait's 15.1% is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 21.9%, 69% of the median. (23 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 2.9% | 2.6% | 3.2% | 9 |
| 2000s | 5.7% | 3.0% | 7.8% | 10 |
| 2010s | 13.7% | 8.6% | 16.2% | 10 |
| 2020s | 16.2% | 15.1% | 19.1% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Kuwait
- 76 Zimbabwe 15.5% compare
- 77 Kenya 15.2% compare
- 78 Fiji 15.2% compare
- 80 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 14.6% compare
- 81 Tajikistan 14.6% compare
- 82 New Zealand 14.4% compare
More work & labour data for Kuwait
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.801 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.7211 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.9054 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -100 % change on previous year (2002)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.4407 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 5,644 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 0 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 4,171 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 5,431 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 9,602 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Kuwait?
- Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Kuwait was 15.1% 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 Kuwait?
- The highest recorded value was 19.1% in 2020.
- What is the lowest unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) recorded in Kuwait?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.6% in 1999.
- How does Kuwait rank for unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24)?
- Kuwait ranks 79th out of 187 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) rising or falling in Kuwait?
- Over the last ten years it is down 6.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Kuwait 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.