Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Afghanistan
Afghanistan: Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) was 8.8% in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Afghanistan, 2008–2021
Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
Afghanistan recorded 8.8% for unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in 2021.
That represents a change of down 45.8% on the previous year and up 199.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Afghanistan peaked at 17.6% in 2017 and was at its lowest, 2.9%, in 2012.
That places Afghanistan 116th out of 160 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the middle of the range.
Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Afghanistan, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 4.0% | — |
| 2012 | 2.9% | -27.6% |
| 2014 | 10.0% | +239.7% |
| 2017 | 17.6% | +76.4% |
| 2020 | 16.2% | -7.8% |
| 2021 | 8.8% | -45.8% |
Afghanistan compared with similar countries
- Afghanistan's 8.8% is above the median for low income countries, which is 8.8%, 1.0× the median. (9 countries reporting)
- Afghanistan's 8.8% is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 15.3%, 58% of the median. (19 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 4.0% | 4.0% | 4.0% | 1 |
| 2010s | 10.2% | 2.9% | 17.6% | 3 |
| 2020s | 12.5% | 8.8% | 16.2% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Afghanistan
More work & labour data for Afghanistan
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.4637 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.4511 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.4755 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -0.088 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 2.67 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 25,498 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 36,430 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 65,039 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 65,177 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 130,217 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Afghanistan?
- Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Afghanistan was 8.8% in 2021, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) recorded in Afghanistan?
- The highest recorded value was 17.6% in 2017.
- What is the lowest unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) recorded in Afghanistan?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.9% in 2012.
- How does Afghanistan rank for unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24)?
- Afghanistan ranks 116th out of 160 countries with data for 2021.
- Is unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) rising or falling in Afghanistan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 199.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Afghanistan data come from?
- The figures come from Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) (national 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. Definitions of labor force and unemployment differ by country.