Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates: Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) was 5.2% in 2024. ▬ Flat

Latest (2024)
5.2%
Change on year
down 17.5%
World rank
139th
of 160 countries
All-time high
14.0%
in 2020
All-time low
5.2%
in 2024
Years of data
10
2005–2024

Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in United Arab Emirates, 2005–2024

0510152005201420242005: 82016: 62017: 7.72018: 6.92019: 7.62020: 142021: 102022: 10.42023: 6.42024: 5.2

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 United Arab Emirates is 5.2%, measured in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 10 years on record.

The figure is down 17.5% on the previous year and down 13.2% over ten years.

Over the whole period, unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in United Arab Emirates peaked at 14.0% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 5.2%, in 2024.

That places United Arab Emirates 139th out of 160 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the bottom quarter.

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

Annual values for Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate) in United Arab Emirates, 2005 to 2024.
Year Value Change
2005 8.0%
2016 6.0% -24.8%
2017 7.7% +26.9%
2018 6.9% -9.4%
2019 7.6% +9.1%
2020 14.0% +84.4%
2021 10.0% -28.7%
2022 10.4% +4.2%
2023 6.4% -38.8%
2024 5.2% -17.5%

United Arab Emirates compared with similar countries

  • United Arab Emirates's 5.2% is below the median for high income countries, which is 13.9%, 38% of the median. (70 countries reporting)
  • United Arab Emirates's 5.2% is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 15.3%, 34% of the median. (19 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 8.0% 8.0% 8.0% 1
2010s 7.1% 6.0% 7.7% 4
2020s 9.2% 5.2% 14.0% 5

Countries ranked near United Arab Emirates

  1. 136 Mexico 5.6% compare
  2. 137 Madagascar 5.6% compare
  3. 138 Nigeria 5.4% compare
  4. 140 Uganda 5.2% compare
  5. 141 Myanmar 4.9% compare
  6. 142 Palau 4.7% compare

See the full ranking of 189 places →

More work & labour data for United Arab Emirates

All data for United Arab Emirates →

Frequently asked questions

What is unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in United Arab Emirates?
Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in United Arab Emirates was 5.2% 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 United Arab Emirates?
The highest recorded value was 14.0% in 2020.
What is the lowest unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) recorded in United Arab Emirates?
The lowest recorded value was 5.2% in 2024.
How does United Arab Emirates rank for unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24)?
United Arab Emirates ranks 139th out of 160 countries with data for 2024.
Is unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) rising or falling in United Arab Emirates?
Over the last ten years it is down 13.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
Where does this United Arab Emirates 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 United Arab Emirates. Statizoid, drawing on Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO). Retrieved 17 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/unemployment-youth-total-percent-of-total-labor-force-ages-15-24-national-estimate/united-arab-emirates/

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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.