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

Uganda: Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) was 5.2% in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)
5.2%
Change on year
down 3.6%
World rank
140th
of 160 countries
All-time high
5.4%
in 2012
All-time low
1.3%
in 2011
Years of data
8
2010–2021

Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Uganda, 2010–2021

123452010201520212010: 2.12011: 1.32012: 5.42013: 2.62014: 2.82017: 5.22019: 5.32021: 5.2

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

Analysis

In 2021, unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Uganda stood at 5.2%.

That represents a change of down 3.6% on the previous year and up 295.5% over ten years.

Over the whole period, unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Uganda peaked at 5.4% in 2012 and was at its lowest, 1.3%, in 2011.

Uganda ranks 140th of 160 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

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

Annual values for Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate) in Uganda, 2010 to 2021.
Year Value Change
2010 2.1%
2011 1.3% -38.8%
2012 5.4% +312.4%
2013 2.6% -51.6%
2014 2.8% +6.3%
2017 5.2% +87.9%
2019 5.3% +3.0%
2021 5.2% -3.6%

Uganda compared with similar countries

  • Uganda's 5.2% is below the median for low income countries, which is 8.8%, 59% of the median. (9 countries reporting)
  • Uganda's 5.2% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 10.4%, 49% of the median. (26 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2010s 3.5% 1.3% 5.4% 7
2020s 5.2% 5.2% 5.2% 1

Countries ranked near Uganda

  1. 137 Madagascar 5.6% compare
  2. 138 Nigeria 5.4% compare
  3. 139 United Arab Emirates 5.2% compare
  4. 141 Myanmar 4.9% compare
  5. 142 Palau 4.7% compare
  6. 143 Tanzania, United Republic of 4.7% compare

See the full ranking of 189 places →

More work & labour data for Uganda

All data for Uganda →

Frequently asked questions

What is unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Uganda?
Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Uganda was 5.2% 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 Uganda?
The highest recorded value was 5.4% in 2012.
What is the lowest unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) recorded in Uganda?
The lowest recorded value was 1.3% in 2011.
How does Uganda rank for unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24)?
Uganda ranks 140th out of 160 countries with data for 2021.
Is unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) rising or falling in Uganda?
Over the last ten years it is up 295.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Uganda 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 Uganda. 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/uganda/

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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.