Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages) … national in Bolivia
Bolivia: Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages) … national was 4.2% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Bolivia, 1986–2025
Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
The most recent figure for unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Bolivia is 4.2%, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of down 2.5% on the previous year and down 40.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Bolivia peaked at 20.7% in 1987 and was at its lowest, 3.4%, in 2012.
Bolivia ranks 148th of 160 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages) … national in Bolivia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 14.4% | — |
| 1987 | 20.7% | +44.2% |
| 1995 | 6.1% | -70.7% |
| 1996 | 8.6% | +42.4% |
| 1997 | 3.5% | -59.4% |
| 2000 | 8.5% | +143.4% |
| 2008 | 5.7% | -33.3% |
| 2009 | 5.3% | -6.9% |
| 2011 | 5.3% | -0.8% |
| 2012 | 3.4% | -35.3% |
| 2013 | 5.6% | +64.2% |
| 2014 | 4.8% | -14.8% |
| 2015 | 7.0% | +46.6% |
| 2016 | 6.8% | -2.3% |
| 2017 | 6.7% | -1.7% |
| 2018 | 6.9% | +2.8% |
| 2019 | 7.1% | +2.7% |
| 2020 | 16.1% | +127.4% |
| 2021 | 8.1% | -49.5% |
| 2022 | 6.0% | -26.0% |
| 2023 | 4.9% | -17.8% |
| 2024 | 4.3% | -13.5% |
| 2025 | 4.2% | -2.5% |
Bolivia compared with similar countries
- Bolivia's 4.2% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 8.5%, 49% of the median. (32 countries reporting)
- Bolivia's 4.2% is below the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 13.7%, 30% of the median. (30 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 17.5% | 14.4% | 20.7% | 2 |
| 1990s | 6.1% | 3.5% | 8.6% | 3 |
| 2000s | 6.5% | 5.3% | 8.5% | 3 |
| 2010s | 5.9% | 3.4% | 7.1% | 9 |
| 2020s | 7.3% | 4.2% | 16.1% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Bolivia
More work & labour data for Bolivia
- Persons outside the labour force (ILO modelled estimates) 1,928 (2027)
- Labour force participation rate (ILO modelled estimates) 79.04 (2027)
- Labour force (ILO modelled estimates) 7,271 (2027)
- Unemployment rate (ILO modelled estimates) 2.58 (2027)
- Labour dependency ratio 0.823 (2027)
- Output per worker, GDP constant 2021 international $ at PPP 17,718 (2027)
- Output per worker, GDP constant 2015 US $ 5,806 (2027)
- Employment-to-population ratio (ILO modelled estimates) 77 (2027)
- Persons outside the labour force (ILO modelled estimates) (15+) 0.9059 % change on previous year (2027)
- Labour force (ILO modelled estimates) (15+), annual growth rate 2.01 % change on previous year (2027)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Bolivia?
- Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Bolivia was 4.2% in 2025, 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 Bolivia?
- The highest recorded value was 20.7% in 1987.
- What is the lowest unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) recorded in Bolivia?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.4% in 2012.
- How does Bolivia rank for unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24)?
- Bolivia ranks 148th out of 160 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) rising or falling in Bolivia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 40.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Bolivia 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.