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

World: Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) was 16.7% in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)
16.7%
Change on year
down 8.3%
Rank
10th
of 29 groups
All-time high
18.2%
in 2020
All-time low
11.9%
in 2000
Years of data
5
2000–2021

Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in World, 2000–2021

051015202000201020212000: 11.92018: 17.22019: 15.82020: 18.22021: 16.7

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

Analysis

World recorded 16.7% for unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in 2021.

That represents a change of down 8.3% on the previous year and down 3.3% over five years.

Over the whole period, unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in World peaked at 18.2% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 11.9%, in 2000.

World ranks 10th of 29 groups on this measure, in the middle of the range.

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

Annual values for Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate) in World, 2000 to 2021.
Year Value Change
2000 11.9%
2018 17.2% +45.0%
2019 15.8% -8.3%
2020 18.2% +15.0%
2021 16.7% -8.3%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 11.9% 11.9% 11.9% 1
2010s 16.5% 15.8% 17.2% 2
2020s 17.4% 16.7% 18.2% 2

Countries ranked near World

  1. 7 Namibia 38.0% compare
  2. 8 Syrian Arab Republic 35.8% compare
  3. 9 Iraq 35.4% compare
  4. 10 New Caledonia 34.5% compare
  5. 11 Puerto Rico 34.3% compare
  6. 12 Morocco 32.6% compare
  7. 13 Lesotho 31.1% compare

See the full ranking of 189 places →

More work & labour data for World

All data for World →

Frequently asked questions

What is unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in World?
Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in World was 16.7% 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 World?
The highest recorded value was 18.2% in 2020.
What is the lowest unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) recorded in World?
The lowest recorded value was 11.9% in 2000.
How does World rank for unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24)?
World ranks 10th out of 29 groups with data for 2021.
Where does this World 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 World. 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/world/

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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.