Youth unemployment rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in Iceland

Iceland: Youth unemployment rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) was 4.74 in 2016. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2016)
4.74
Change on year
down 34.3%
World rank
51st
of 57 countries
All-time high
16.49
in 2010
All-time low
1.93
in 2007
Years of data
13
2004–2016

Youth unemployment rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in Iceland, 2004–2016

0510152004201020162004: 3.62005: 3.82006: 3.92007: 1.92008: 2.22009: 11.72010: 16.52011: 16.22012: 14.92013: 11.82014: 9.12015: 7.22016: 4.7

Source: International Labour Organization.

Analysis

The most recent figure for youth unemployment rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) in Iceland is 4.74, measured in 2016.

The figure is down 34.3% on the previous year and up 22.9% over ten years.

Over the whole period, youth unemployment rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) in Iceland peaked at 16.49 in 2010 and was at its lowest, 1.93, in 2007.

That places Iceland 51st out of 57 countries with data for 2016, putting it in the bottom quarter.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Youth unemployment rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in Iceland, year by year

Annual values for Youth unemployment rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) (15-29) in Iceland, 2004 to 2016.
Year Value Change
2004 3.58
2005 3.79 +6.1%
2006 3.85 +1.6%
2007 1.93 -49.9%
2008 2.24 +15.9%
2009 11.71 +423.1%
2010 16.49 +40.8%
2011 16.19 -1.8%
2012 14.91 -7.9%
2013 11.79 -20.9%
2014 9.06 -23.1%
2015 7.21 -20.5%
2016 4.74 -34.3%

Iceland compared with similar countries

  • Iceland's 4.74 is below the median for high income countries, which is 11.23, 42% of the median. (34 countries reporting)
  • Iceland's 4.74 is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 11.63, 41% of the median. (33 countries reporting)

Biggest year-on-year movements

Years where Youth unemployment rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in Iceland changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.

YearChange FromTo
2009 +423.1% 2.24 11.71

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 4.52 1.93 11.71 6
2010s 11.48 4.74 16.49 7

Countries ranked near Iceland

  1. 48 Netherlands 6.09 compare
  2. 49 Uganda 4.96 compare
  3. 50 Cote d'Ivoire 4.85 compare
  4. 52 Tanzania 4.42 compare
  5. 53 Luxembourg 4.41 compare
  6. 54 Thailand 3.94 compare

See the full ranking of 57 places →

More work & labour data for Iceland

All data for Iceland →

Frequently asked questions

What is youth unemployment rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) in Iceland?
Youth unemployment rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) in Iceland was 4.74 in 2016, according to International Labour Organization.
What is the highest youth unemployment rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) recorded in Iceland?
The highest recorded value was 16.49 in 2010.
What is the lowest youth unemployment rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) recorded in Iceland?
The lowest recorded value was 1.93 in 2007.
How does Iceland rank for youth unemployment rate (previous ilo definition - icls13)?
Iceland ranks 51st out of 57 countries with data for 2016.
Is youth unemployment rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) rising or falling in Iceland?
Over the last ten years it is up 22.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Iceland 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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Youth unemployment rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in Iceland. Statizoid, drawing on International Labour Organization. Retrieved 21 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/youth-unemployment-rate-previous-ilo-definition-icls13-15-29/iceland/

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About this data

Indicator
Youth unemployment rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) (15-29)
Source
International Labour Organization
Licence
ILO Terms of Use (attribution required)
Coverage
57 places, 866 data points, 1996–2025
Last refreshed

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.