Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Cameroon

Cameroon: Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) was 6.4% in 2021. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2021)
6.4%
World rank
133rd
of 160 countries
All-time high
39.7%
in 2005
All-time low
4.6%
in 2007
Years of data
5
2005–2021

Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Cameroon, 2005–2021

0102030402005201320212005: 39.72007: 4.62010: 6.42014: 6.32021: 6.4

Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).

Analysis

In 2021, unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Cameroon stood at 6.4%.

The figure is up 0.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Cameroon peaked at 39.7% in 2005 and was at its lowest, 4.6%, in 2007.

That places Cameroon 133rd out of 160 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the bottom quarter.

Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Cameroon, year by year

Annual values for Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate) in Cameroon, 2005 to 2021.
Year Value Change
2005 39.7%
2007 4.6% -88.4%
2010 6.4% +38.9%
2014 6.3% -1.5%
2021 6.4% +2.3%

Cameroon compared with similar countries

  • Cameroon's 6.4% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 9.0%, 71% of the median. (32 countries reporting)
  • Cameroon's 6.4% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 10.4%, 62% of the median. (26 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 22.2% 4.6% 39.7% 2
2010s 6.3% 6.3% 6.4% 2
2020s 6.4% 6.4% 6.4% 1

Countries ranked near Cameroon

  1. 130 Germany 7.1% compare
  2. 131 Philippines 6.9% compare
  3. 132 El Salvador 6.5% compare
  4. 134 Viet Nam 6.4% compare
  5. 135 Korea 5.7% compare
  6. 136 Mexico 5.6% compare

See the full ranking of 189 places →

More work & labour data for Cameroon

All data for Cameroon →

Frequently asked questions

What is unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Cameroon?
Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Cameroon was 6.4% 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 Cameroon?
The highest recorded value was 39.7% in 2005.
What is the lowest unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) recorded in Cameroon?
The lowest recorded value was 4.6% in 2007.
How does Cameroon rank for unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24)?
Cameroon ranks 133rd out of 160 countries with data for 2021.
Is unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) rising or falling in Cameroon?
Over the last ten years it is up 0.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Cameroon 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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Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Cameroon. Statizoid, drawing on Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO). Retrieved 15 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/unemployment-youth-total-percent-of-total-labor-force-ages-15-24-national-estimate/cameroon/

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About this data

Indicator
Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate)
Source
Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
189 places, 4,166 data points, 1960–2025
Last refreshed

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.