Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Spain
Spain: Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) was 24.7% in 2025. ▲ Rising
Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Spain, 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 Spain is 24.7%, measured in 2025.
The figure is down 7.1% on the previous year and down 48.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Spain peaked at 55.4% in 2013 and was at its lowest, 17.9%, in 2006.
Spain ranks 31st of 187 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
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 Spain, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 30.7% | — |
| 1992 | 33.0% | +7.6% |
| 1993 | 42.2% | +27.8% |
| 1994 | 44.9% | +6.4% |
| 1995 | 41.8% | -6.9% |
| 1996 | 41.8% | -0.1% |
| 1997 | 39.0% | -6.6% |
| 1998 | 35.4% | -9.3% |
| 1999 | 29.1% | -17.8% |
| 2000 | 25.3% | -13.2% |
| 2001 | 20.7% | -18.0% |
| 2002 | 21.5% | +4.0% |
| 2003 | 22.3% | +3.6% |
| 2004 | 22.5% | +0.7% |
| 2005 | 19.6% | -12.6% |
| 2006 | 17.9% | -8.9% |
| 2007 | 18.1% | +1.1% |
| 2008 | 24.4% | +35.1% |
| 2009 | 37.7% | +54.3% |
| 2010 | 41.5% | +9.9% |
| 2011 | 46.2% | +11.4% |
| 2012 | 52.8% | +14.5% |
| 2013 | 55.4% | +4.9% |
| 2014 | 53.2% | -4.1% |
| 2015 | 48.4% | -9.1% |
| 2016 | 44.4% | -8.1% |
| 2017 | 38.6% | -13.2% |
| 2018 | 34.4% | -11.0% |
| 2019 | 32.6% | -5.3% |
| 2020 | 38.3% | +17.7% |
| 2021 | 35.0% | -8.6% |
| 2022 | 29.7% | -15.1% |
| 2023 | 28.7% | -3.3% |
| 2024 | 26.6% | -7.4% |
| 2025 | 24.7% | -7.1% |
Spain compared with similar countries
- Spain's 24.7% is above the median for high income countries, which is 13.8%, 1.8× the median. (62 countries reporting)
- Spain's 24.7% is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 14.4%, 1.7× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 37.5% | 29.1% | 44.9% | 9 |
| 2000s | 23.0% | 17.9% | 37.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 44.7% | 32.6% | 55.4% | 10 |
| 2020s | 30.5% | 24.7% | 38.3% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Spain
More work & labour data for Spain
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.527 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.5576 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.4982 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -2.05 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate -0.1207 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 39,073 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 5,322 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 17,076 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 16,051 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 33,128 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Spain?
- Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Spain was 24.7% 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 Spain?
- The highest recorded value was 55.4% in 2013.
- What is the lowest unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) recorded in Spain?
- The lowest recorded value was 17.9% in 2006.
- How does Spain rank for unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24)?
- Spain ranks 31st out of 187 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) rising or falling in Spain?
- Over the last ten years it is down 48.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Spain 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.