Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Malawi
Malawi: Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) was 6.9% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Latest (2025)
6.9%
Change on year
up 0.8%
World rank
145th
of 187 countries
All-time high
7.8%
in 2020
All-time low
6.4%
in 1997
Years of data
35
1991–2025
Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Malawi, 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 Malawi is 6.9%, measured in 2025.
The figure is up 0.8% on the previous year and up 2.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Malawi peaked at 7.8% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 6.4%, in 1997.
That places Malawi 145th out of 187 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.
Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Malawi, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 6.7% | — |
| 1992 | 6.9% | +2.3% |
| 1993 | 6.8% | -1.2% |
| 1994 | 7.1% | +5.3% |
| 1995 | 6.7% | -6.6% |
| 1996 | 6.7% | +0.5% |
| 1997 | 6.4% | -3.9% |
| 1998 | 6.7% | +3.4% |
| 1999 | 6.7% | +1.0% |
| 2000 | 6.8% | +0.4% |
| 2001 | 6.9% | +2.4% |
| 2002 | 6.9% | +0.3% |
| 2003 | 6.8% | -1.3% |
| 2004 | 6.6% | -2.9% |
| 2005 | 6.6% | -0.5% |
| 2006 | 6.6% | +0.4% |
| 2007 | 6.6% | -1.0% |
| 2008 | 6.5% | -1.0% |
| 2009 | 6.5% | -0.8% |
| 2010 | 6.5% | +1.0% |
| 2011 | 6.6% | +1.0% |
| 2012 | 6.7% | +2.0% |
| 2013 | 6.8% | +0.6% |
| 2014 | 6.8% | +0.0% |
| 2015 | 6.8% | -0.0% |
| 2016 | 6.8% | +1.0% |
| 2017 | 6.9% | +0.7% |
| 2018 | 6.9% | -0.2% |
| 2019 | 6.8% | -0.6% |
| 2020 | 7.8% | +15.0% |
| 2021 | 7.6% | -2.5% |
| 2022 | 6.8% | -10.3% |
| 2023 | 6.8% | -0.1% |
| 2024 | 6.9% | +0.7% |
| 2025 | 6.9% | +0.8% |
Malawi compared with similar countries
- Malawi's 6.9% is below the median for low income countries, which is 7.8%, 89% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Malawi's 6.9% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 8.8%, 79% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 6.7% | 6.4% | 7.1% | 9 |
| 2000s | 6.7% | 6.5% | 6.9% | 10 |
| 2010s | 6.7% | 6.5% | 6.9% | 10 |
| 2020s | 7.2% | 6.8% | 7.8% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Malawi
- 142 Russian Federation 7.6% compare
- 143 Philippines 7.0% compare
- 144 Guinea 7.0% compare
- 146 Germany 6.9% compare
- 147 Singapore 6.8% compare
- 148 Macau, China 6.8% compare
More work & labour data for Malawi
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.4293 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.4409 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.4183 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate 1.02 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 4.02 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 13,360 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 28,345 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 30,321 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 28,820 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 59,141 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Malawi?
- Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Malawi was 6.9% 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 Malawi?
- The highest recorded value was 7.8% in 2020.
- What is the lowest unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) recorded in Malawi?
- The lowest recorded value was 6.4% in 1997.
- How does Malawi rank for unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24)?
- Malawi ranks 145th out of 187 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) rising or falling in Malawi?
- Over the last ten years it is up 2.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Malawi 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.