Youth unemployment rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in Bulgaria
Bulgaria: Youth unemployment rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) was 11.63 in 2025. ▼ Falling
Youth unemployment rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in Bulgaria, 2007–2025
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
The most recent figure for youth unemployment rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) in Bulgaria is 11.63, measured in 2025. That is the lowest value across all 19 years on record.
The figure is down 24.0% on the previous year and down 62.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, youth unemployment rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) in Bulgaria peaked at 33.54 in 2007 and was at its lowest, 11.63, in 2025.
Bulgaria ranks 24th of 57 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 19 years of available data.
Youth unemployment rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in Bulgaria, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 33.54 | — |
| 2008 | 20.25 | -39.6% |
| 2009 | 23.49 | +16.0% |
| 2010 | 28.57 | +21.6% |
| 2011 | 29.23 | +2.3% |
| 2012 | 32.66 | +11.7% |
| 2013 | 33.05 | +1.2% |
| 2014 | 28.86 | -12.7% |
| 2015 | 30.86 | +6.9% |
| 2016 | 28.6 | -7.3% |
| 2017 | 23.97 | -16.2% |
| 2018 | 21.04 | -12.2% |
| 2019 | 21.69 | +3.1% |
| 2020 | 22.6 | +4.2% |
| 2021 | 21.2 | -6.2% |
| 2022 | 22.22 | +4.8% |
| 2023 | 16.5 | -25.7% |
| 2024 | 15.31 | -7.2% |
| 2025 | 11.63 | -24.0% |
Bulgaria compared with similar countries
- Bulgaria's 11.63 is above the median for high income countries, which is 11.23, 1.0× the median. (34 countries reporting)
- Bulgaria's 11.63 is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 11.63, 1.0× the median. (33 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 25.76 | 20.25 | 33.54 | 3 |
| 2010s | 27.85 | 21.04 | 33.05 | 10 |
| 2020s | 18.25 | 11.63 | 22.6 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Bulgaria
More work & labour data for Bulgaria
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.7248 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.7055 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.7441 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -2.5 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate -0.5166 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 4,606 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 817.52 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 1,761 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 1,770 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 3,531 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is youth unemployment rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) in Bulgaria?
- Youth unemployment rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) in Bulgaria was 11.63 in 2025, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest youth unemployment rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) recorded in Bulgaria?
- The highest recorded value was 33.54 in 2007.
- What is the lowest youth unemployment rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) recorded in Bulgaria?
- The lowest recorded value was 11.63 in 2025.
- How does Bulgaria rank for youth unemployment rate (previous ilo definition - icls13)?
- Bulgaria ranks 24th out of 57 countries with data for 2025.
- Is youth unemployment rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) rising or falling in Bulgaria?
- Over the last ten years it is down 62.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Bulgaria data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Youth unemployment rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) (15-29). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
With the aim of promoting international comparability, statistics presented on ILOSTAT are based on standard international definitions wherever feasible and may differ from official national figures. This series is based on the 13th ICLS definitions. For time series comparability, it includes countries that have implemented the 19th ICLS standards, for which data are also available in the Work Statistics -- 19th ICLS (WORK) database. The unemployment rate conveys the number of persons who are unemployed as a percent of the labour force (i.e., the employed plus the unemployed). The unemployed comprise all persons of working age who were: a) without work during the reference period, i.e. were not in paid employment or self-employment; b) currently available for work, i.e. were available for paid employment or self-employment during the reference period; and c) seeking work, i.e. had taken specific steps in a specified recent period to seek paid employment or self-employment. The term disability, as defined in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), is used as an umbrella term, covering impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. For measurement purposes, a person with disability is defined as a person who is limited in the kind or amount of activities that he or she can do because of ongoing difficulties due to a long-term physical condition, mental condition or health problem. For more information, refer to the Youth Labour Market Indicators (YouthSTATS) database description.