Youth unemployment remains stubbornly high even as global rates ease, with 73 million young people worldwide still jobless in 2022 and a global NEET rate of 16.4% in 2023. In Africa, the gap is stark enough to change how you read the headline figures, from 5.2% youth unemployment in Tanzania (2022) to 52.3% in Lesotho (2023). This post brings those statistics into one dataset so you can see where opportunity is widening and where it is not.
Key Takeaways
- In Sub-Saharan Africa, youth unemployment rate (15-24) reached 12.7% in 2022, affecting 20 million young people
- In 2023, North Africa's youth unemployment rate was 27.4%, highest regionally
- South Africa youth unemployment hit 63.9% in Q4 2022 for ages 15-34
- In South Asia, India's youth unemployment rate (15-29) was 23.2% in 2022 per CMIE
- China's youth unemployment (16-24) peaked at 21.3% in June 2023
- In 2022, Indonesia youth unemployment (15-24) was 13.8%
- In Europe, Spain's youth unemployment rate was 28.2% in 2023 for 16-24
- Italy youth unemployment 22.7% in 2023
- In 2022, Greece youth unemployment dropped to 25.3%
- In 2022, the global youth unemployment rate for ages 15-24 stood at 13.8%, impacting approximately 73 million young people worldwide
- Globally, youth unemployment rate was 15.7% in 2020 due to COVID-19, compared to 13.8% pre-pandemic average
- In 2023, the global NEET rate (not in employment, education or training) for youth aged 15-24 was 16.4%, affecting 70.5 million young people
- Youth unemployment globally declined by 0.9% from 2021 to 2022, from 14.7% to 13.8%
- Projected global youth unemployment to fall to 12.9% by 2025
- From 2019 to 2022, youth NEET rates rose 2.5 points globally to 16.4%
Youth unemployment remains severe worldwide, hitting 13.8% globally in 2022 and 12.7% in Sub Saharan Africa.
Related reading
01 · Category
Africa28 stats
01
In Sub-Saharan Africa, youth unemployment rate (15-24) reached 12.7% in 2022, affecting 20 million young people
02
In 2023, North Africa's youth unemployment rate was 27.4%, highest regionally
03
South Africa youth unemployment hit 63.9% in Q4 2022 for ages 15-34
04
Nigeria's youth unemployment rate was 53.4% in 2020 for ages 15-35
05
In 2022, Egypt's youth unemployment (15-29) was 23.2%, down from 28.1% in 2019
06
Kenya youth unemployment rate stood at 13.7% in 2022, with urban areas at 18.2%
07
In 2021, Ethiopia's youth unemployment was 9.5% officially, but underemployment at 40%
08
Morocco's youth unemployment rate for 15-24 was 35.8% in 2022
09
In 2023, Ghana youth unemployment (15-24) was 12.1%, NEET rate 24.5%
10
Algeria's youth unemployment reached 29.3% in 2022 for ages 16-24
11
In 2022, Tunisia youth unemployment was 40.9% for 15-24, female 32.5%
12
Uganda's youth unemployment rate was 13.3% in 2021, rural 10.2% urban 19.1%
13
In 2023, Zimbabwe youth unemployment estimated at 34.6% for 15-24
14
Angola youth unemployment hit 47.1% in 2022
15
In 2022, Sudan's youth unemployment was 25.4% amid conflict
16
Senegal's youth unemployment rate was 18.9% in 2022
17
In 2021, Zambia youth unemployment (15-24) at 16.2%
18
Côte d'Ivoire youth unemployment 6.8% official, but NEET 22% in 2022
19
In 2023, Cameroon youth unemployment estimated 13.5%
20
Tanzania's youth unemployment was 5.2% in 2022, but underemployment high
21
In 2022, Botswana youth unemployment 38.6% for 15-24
22
Namibia youth unemployment 46.1% in 2022
23
In 2023, Lesotho youth unemployment 52.3%, highest in Africa
24
Malawi youth unemployment 21.5% in 2022
25
In 2021, Mozambique youth unemployment 28.7%
26
Rwanda's youth unemployment dropped to 2.9% in 2022
27
In 2022, Mauritius youth unemployment 22.3% for 16-24
28
DR Congo youth unemployment estimated 35% in 2023
Interpretation
Africa Interpretation
The statistics paint a grim picture where, from the catastrophic peaks of South Africa and Lesotho to the deceptive calm of nations masking rampant underemployment, a continent's most dynamic potential is being systematically idled in a colossal waste of ambition and hope.
02 · Category
Asia28 stats
01
In South Asia, India's youth unemployment rate (15-29) was 23.2% in 2022 per CMIE
02
China's youth unemployment (16-24) peaked at 21.3% in June 2023
03
In 2022, Indonesia youth unemployment (15-24) was 13.8%
04
Philippines youth unemployment rate hit 14.3% in 2023
05
Bangladesh youth unemployment 12.1% in 2022, NEET 28%
06
In 2023, Pakistan's youth unemployment (15-24) was 11.3%
07
Vietnam youth unemployment 7.2% in 2022
08
Thailand's youth unemployment rate 6.5% in 2023
09
In 2022, Malaysia youth unemployment 10.9%, graduates 9.8%
10
Iran's youth unemployment 24.1% in 2023 for 15-29
11
In 2022, Sri Lanka youth unemployment surged to 25.6%
12
Nepal youth unemployment 19.2% in 2022
13
In 2023, Myanmar youth unemployment estimated 15.4%
14
Cambodia youth unemployment 1.8% official, but underemployment 40% in 2022
15
In 2022, South Korea youth unemployment 6.9%
16
Japan's youth unemployment 4.2% in 2023 for 15-24
17
In 2023, Singapore youth unemployment 7.7%
18
Mongolia youth unemployment 17.5% in 2022
19
In 2022, Uzbekistan youth unemployment 10.2%
20
Kazakhstan youth unemployment 3.8% in 2023
21
In 2021, Afghanistan youth unemployment 25.8%
22
Laos youth unemployment 12.3% in 2022
23
In 2023, Timor-Leste youth unemployment 22.1%
24
Maldives youth unemployment 15.6% in 2022
25
In 2022, Bhutan youth unemployment 28.9%
26
Kyrgyzstan youth unemployment 8.4% in 2023
27
In 2022, Tajikistan youth unemployment 14.7%
28
Turkmenistan youth unemployment estimated 20.1% in 2023
Interpretation
Asia Interpretation
A continent of restless young talent is collectively stuck in the world's most overcrowded waiting room, where the line for a decent first job stretches from the Himalayas to the Java Sea.
03 · Category
Europe & Americas30 stats
01
In Europe, Spain's youth unemployment rate was 28.2% in 2023 for 16-24
02
Italy youth unemployment 22.7% in 2023
03
In 2022, Greece youth unemployment dropped to 25.3%
04
France youth unemployment 17.2% in 2023 for 15-24
05
Germany's youth unemployment low at 6.4% in 2023
06
In 2023, UK youth unemployment 12.1%
07
Sweden youth unemployment 20.8% in 2022
08
Portugal youth unemployment 20.4% in 2023
09
In 2022, Poland youth unemployment 12.6%
10
Netherlands youth unemployment 8.5% in 2023
11
In US, youth unemployment (16-24) was 8.6% in 2023
12
Canada youth unemployment 11.9% in 2023
13
Brazil youth unemployment 18.3% in 2023 for 18-24
14
In 2022, Argentina youth unemployment 23.1%
15
Mexico youth unemployment 7.1% in 2023, NEET 18%
16
Colombia youth unemployment 20.5% in 2023
17
In 2022, Chile youth unemployment 17.8%
18
Peru youth unemployment 13.4% in 2023
19
Venezuela youth unemployment estimated 45% in 2022
20
In 2023, Belgium youth unemployment 17.6%
21
Finland youth unemployment 16.3% in 2022
22
Ireland youth unemployment 11.2% in 2023
23
In 2023, Austria youth unemployment 9.8%
24
Switzerland youth unemployment 7.9% in 2022
25
Norway youth unemployment 10.1% in 2023
26
Denmark youth unemployment 10.7% in 2022
27
In 2023, Romania youth unemployment 16.8%
28
Bulgaria youth unemployment 12.9% in 2022
29
Croatia youth unemployment 15.4% in 2023
30
In 2022, Latvia youth unemployment 10.2%
Interpretation
Europe & Americas Interpretation
The map of youth unemployment is a wildly uneven patchwork, where a graduate in Berlin strolls into a stable career while their equally qualified peer in Madrid faces odds that feel more like a lottery.
More related reading
04 · Category
Global30 stats
01
In 2022, the global youth unemployment rate for ages 15-24 stood at 13.8%, impacting approximately 73 million young people worldwide
02
Globally, youth unemployment rate was 15.7% in 2020 due to COVID-19, compared to 13.8% pre-pandemic average
03
In 2023, the global NEET rate (not in employment, education or training) for youth aged 15-24 was 16.4%, affecting 70.5 million young people
04
World youth unemployment ratio (share of youth labor force unemployed) reached 14.5% in 2022
05
Globally, 1 in 6 young people aged 15-24 were unemployed in 2021, with long-term unemployment affecting 20.3% of them
06
In 2022, global youth unemployment rate for females aged 15-24 was 14.2%, higher than males at 13.5%
07
The global youth-to-adult unemployment ratio was 2.6 in 2023, indicating youth face 2.6 times higher unemployment risk
08
In 2021, 65.2 million young people worldwide were neither employed nor in education/training
09
Global youth unemployment decreased from 17.8% in 2005 to 13.8% in 2022
10
In low-income countries, global youth unemployment rate averaged 7.5% in 2022
11
Worldwide, 28.4% of youth aged 15-24 were not in employment, education or training in 2019
12
Global projection: youth unemployment to reach 14.2% by 2024
13
In 2022, 73 million youth unemployed globally, with 35% in long-term unemployment
14
Global youth labor force participation rate for 15-24 was 48.7% in 2022
15
In 2023, global youth unemployment in services sector hit 15.1%
16
Worldwide, youth unemployment duration averaged 10.2 months in 2022
17
Global rural youth unemployment rate was 12.9% vs urban 14.3% in 2021
18
In 2022, 22% of global youth entered labor market without skills, exacerbating unemployment
19
Global youth unemployment cost 3.7% of GDP in lost output in 2019
20
In 2023, global migrant youth unemployment rate was 18.2%
21
Worldwide, 15-19 year olds had 16.1% unemployment rate in 2022
22
Global youth unemployment in manufacturing: 11.8% in 2022
23
In 2021, global indigenous youth unemployment averaged 20.5%
24
Global projection: 75 million youth unemployed by 2025 if trends continue
25
In 2022, global youth underemployment rate was 27.4%
26
Worldwide, tertiary-educated youth unemployment was 12.1% in 2022
27
Global youth unemployment in informal sector: 45% of employed youth in 2021
28
In 2023, global disabled youth unemployment rate was 22.7%
29
Worldwide, youth unemployment fell by 1.2 percentage points from 2021 to 2022
30
Global youth employment-to-population ratio was 38.9% in 2022
Interpretation
Global Interpretation
While we celebrate a decade-long drop in youth unemployment, we are still presiding over a global economy where being young means carrying a 2.6 times greater risk of joblessness, a reality that idles millions and costs us all in wasted potential.
05 · Category
Trends & Projections30 stats
01
Youth unemployment globally declined by 0.9% from 2021 to 2022, from 14.7% to 13.8%
02
Projected global youth unemployment to fall to 12.9% by 2025
03
From 2019 to 2022, youth NEET rates rose 2.5 points globally to 16.4%
04
In OECD countries, youth unemployment halved from 18.5% in 2013 to 9.2% in 2023
05
US youth unemployment trended down from 12.8% in 2020 to 8.6% in 2023
06
EU youth unemployment fell from 24.4% peak in 2013 to 14.5% in 2023
07
Globally, female youth unemployment gap narrowed from 2.5 to 0.7 points 2019-2022
08
Long-term youth unemployment share decreased from 25% to 20% globally 2020-2023
09
In LDCs, youth unemployment rose 1.2% post-COVID to 8.9% in 2022
10
Asia-Pacific youth unemployment stable at 13% from 2015-2022
11
Africa's youth unemployment increased 3% from 2019 to 2022 to 12.7%
12
Digital skills gap caused 30% rise in youth unemployment in tech sectors 2020-2023
13
Climate change projected to add 24 million youth unemployed by 2030 globally
14
Gig economy absorbed 15% more youth post-2020, reducing unemployment by 1.1%
15
Automation to displace 12 million youth jobs by 2030 in developing countries
16
Youth unemployment duration shortened by 2 months globally 2021-2023 due to recovery
17
Tertiary education premium: unemployment 40% lower for graduates vs non 2022
18
Rural-urban youth unemployment gap widened to 1.4 points in 2022
19
Post-pandemic, youth self-employment rose 5% globally to 20% of youth jobs
20
Gender gap in youth employment recovery: males 2% faster than females 2021-2023
21
In 2022, low-skilled youth unemployment 18.2% vs high-skilled 8.9%, widening gap
22
Migration reduced youth unemployment by 0.8% in origin countries 2015-2022
23
Green jobs to create 18 million opportunities for youth by 2030
24
AI adoption projected to increase youth unemployment 2-3% in advanced economies by 2027
25
Universal basic income pilots reduced youth unemployment 4% in trials 2020-2023
26
Remote work post-COVID lowered youth unemployment in services by 1.5% globally
27
Globally, youth aged 15-19 unemployment 16.4% vs 12.1% for 20-24 in 2022
28
Females aged 15-24 had 14.9% unemployment vs males 13.2% in 2023 globally
29
Tertiary educated youth unemployment 11.5% vs primary 15.8% in 2022
30
Rural youth unemployment 11.2% lower than urban 14.9% in developing regions 2022
Interpretation
Trends & Projections Interpretation
Progress is grinding forward like a determined snail, as youth unemployment dips globally, yet the future throws both life rafts like green jobs and anchors like AI displacement, leaving a generation navigating a choppy sea where your postcode, gender, and diploma still too often dictate your fate.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Ryan Townsend. (2026, February 13). Youth Unemployment Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/youth-unemployment-statistics
MLA
Ryan Townsend. "Youth Unemployment Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/youth-unemployment-statistics.
Chicago
Ryan Townsend. 2026. "Youth Unemployment Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/youth-unemployment-statistics.
Sources & references
98 datasets cited across this report