Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Namibia
Namibia: Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) was 38.0% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Namibia, 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 Namibia is 38.0%, measured in 2025.
The figure is up 2.2% on the previous year and down 7.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Namibia peaked at 46.6% in 1997 and was at its lowest, 34.1%, in 2012.
That places Namibia 10th out of 187 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top 10%.
Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Namibia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 34.7% | — |
| 1992 | 34.4% | -0.7% |
| 1993 | 34.9% | +1.3% |
| 1994 | 35.5% | +1.9% |
| 1995 | 39.6% | +11.3% |
| 1996 | 42.9% | +8.5% |
| 1997 | 46.6% | +8.4% |
| 1998 | 44.2% | -5.1% |
| 1999 | 41.7% | -5.6% |
| 2000 | 39.2% | -5.9% |
| 2001 | 40.6% | +3.6% |
| 2002 | 41.7% | +2.7% |
| 2003 | 42.9% | +2.7% |
| 2004 | 43.0% | +0.3% |
| 2005 | 43.3% | +0.6% |
| 2006 | 43.0% | -0.6% |
| 2007 | 43.7% | +1.6% |
| 2008 | 43.7% | +0.1% |
| 2009 | 44.5% | +1.7% |
| 2010 | 44.5% | +0.2% |
| 2011 | 39.4% | -11.6% |
| 2012 | 34.1% | -13.4% |
| 2013 | 40.5% | +18.8% |
| 2014 | 38.7% | -4.4% |
| 2015 | 41.2% | +6.4% |
| 2016 | 44.2% | +7.2% |
| 2017 | 41.5% | -6.2% |
| 2018 | 38.0% | -8.4% |
| 2019 | 38.2% | +0.5% |
| 2020 | 41.5% | +8.8% |
| 2021 | 40.1% | -3.4% |
| 2022 | 37.8% | -5.7% |
| 2023 | 37.1% | -1.8% |
| 2024 | 37.2% | +0.3% |
| 2025 | 38.0% | +2.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 39.4% | 34.4% | 46.6% | 9 |
| 2000s | 42.6% | 39.2% | 44.5% | 10 |
| 2010s | 40.0% | 34.1% | 44.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | 38.6% | 37.1% | 41.5% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Namibia
More work & labour data for Namibia
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.0916 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.0906 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.0929 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -0.3746 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 1.88 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 3,116 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 1,223 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 3,070 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 2,828 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 5,898 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Namibia?
- Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Namibia was 38.0% 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 Namibia?
- The highest recorded value was 46.6% in 1997.
- What is the lowest unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) recorded in Namibia?
- The lowest recorded value was 34.1% in 2012.
- How does Namibia rank for unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24)?
- Namibia ranks 10th out of 187 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) rising or falling in Namibia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 7.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Namibia 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.