Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Zambia
Zambia: Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) was 10.8% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Zambia, 2000–2024
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 Zambia is 10.8%, measured in 2024.
The figure is up 8.0% on the previous year and down 65.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Zambia peaked at 30.9% in 2015 and was at its lowest, 8.4%, in 2017.
Zambia ranks 102nd of 160 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Zambia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 21.4% | — |
| 2008 | 14.0% | -34.4% |
| 2010 | 28.7% | +104.8% |
| 2012 | 15.2% | -47.0% |
| 2015 | 30.9% | +103.1% |
| 2017 | 8.4% | -72.9% |
| 2018 | 8.7% | +4.1% |
| 2019 | 10.3% | +18.0% |
| 2020 | 11.0% | +6.9% |
| 2021 | 9.3% | -15.5% |
| 2022 | 9.8% | +5.5% |
| 2023 | 10.0% | +2.0% |
| 2024 | 10.8% | +8.0% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 10.8% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 9.0%, 1.2× the median. (32 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 10.8% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 10.4%, 1.0× the median. (26 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 17.7% | 14.0% | 21.4% | 2 |
| 2010s | 17.0% | 8.4% | 30.9% | 6 |
| 2020s | 10.2% | 9.3% | 11.0% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
- 99 Hong Kong, China 11.2% compare
- 100 Trinidad and Tobago 10.9% compare
- 101 Paraguay 10.8% compare
- 103 Mali 10.5% compare
- 104 Czechia 10.4% compare
- 105 Seychelles 10.3% compare
More work & labour data for Zambia
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.5254 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.5224 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.5281 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate 0.7611 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 3.24 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 25,577 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 15,424 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 32,895 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 31,579 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 64,474 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Zambia?
- Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Zambia was 10.8% 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 Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 30.9% in 2015.
- What is the lowest unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 8.4% in 2017.
- How does Zambia rank for unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24)?
- Zambia ranks 102nd out of 160 countries with data for 2024.
- Is unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 65.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zambia 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.