Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Lesotho
Lesotho: Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) was 31.1% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Lesotho, 1999–2024
Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
In 2024, unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Lesotho stood at 31.1%.
That represents a change of down 9.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Lesotho peaked at 48.6% in 2008 and was at its lowest, 25.6%, in 2019.
That places Lesotho 13th out of 160 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Lesotho, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 33.5% | — |
| 2008 | 48.6% | +45.0% |
| 2013 | 34.4% | -29.2% |
| 2019 | 25.6% | -25.7% |
| 2024 | 31.1% | +21.5% |
Lesotho compared with similar countries
- Lesotho's 31.1% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 9.0%, 3.4× the median. (32 countries reporting)
- Lesotho's 31.1% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 10.4%, 3.0× the median. (26 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 33.5% | 33.5% | 33.5% | 1 |
| 2000s | 48.6% | 48.6% | 48.6% | 1 |
| 2010s | 30.0% | 25.6% | 34.4% | 2 |
| 2020s | 31.1% | 31.1% | 31.1% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Lesotho
- 10 New Caledonia 34.5% compare
- 11 Puerto Rico 34.3% compare
- 12 Morocco 32.6% compare
- 14 Guyana 30.7% compare
- 15 Guam 29.4% compare
- 16 North Macedonia 29.2% compare
More work & labour data for Lesotho
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.1902 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.1964 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.1849 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -0.293 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 2.37 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 1,485 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 1,719 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 1,674 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 1,586 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 3,259 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Lesotho?
- Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Lesotho was 31.1% in 2024, 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 Lesotho?
- The highest recorded value was 48.6% in 2008.
- What is the lowest unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) recorded in Lesotho?
- The lowest recorded value was 25.6% in 2019.
- How does Lesotho rank for unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24)?
- Lesotho ranks 13th out of 160 countries with data for 2024.
- Is unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) rising or falling in Lesotho?
- Over the last ten years it is down 9.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Lesotho 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.