Youth unemployment — all countries

Youth unemployment — Democratic Republic of the Congo

Youth unemployment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2025 — 7.85%. Ranked 48 in the world out of 182. Since 1991, the indicator has risen by 2.49 pp.

2025 7.85% −0.1 pp vs 2024
World rank 48of 182
Period maximum 9.6%2020
Period minimum 4.93%2005

Trend over time

1991–2025 · % of labor force aged 15–24

Youth unemployment — Democratic Republic of the Congo, 1991–20254681019911995199920032007201120152019202320251991: 5.36%1992: 5.46%1993: 5.54%1994: 5.51%1995: 5.39%1996: 5.24%1997: 5.24%1998: 5.25%1999: 5.29%2000: 5.3%2001: 5.3%2002: 5.21%2003: 5.07%2004: 4.97%2005: 4.93%2006: 5.44%2007: 5.94%2008: 6.45%2009: 6.99%2010: 7.5%2011: 8%2012: 8.46%2013: 8.38%2014: 8.28%2015: 8.22%2016: 8.28%2017: 8.33%2018: 8.3%2019: 8.21%2020: 9.6%2021: 9.18%2022: 8.1%2023: 8.01%2024: 7.95%2025: 7.85%
Change over the period: +2.49 pp Annual average: 0.07 pp

Comparison, 2025

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Democratic Republic of the Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo 7.85%
World 13.41%
Middle Africa computed 12.58%
Low-income countries computed 8.88%
Youth unemployment — Democratic Republic of the Congo, by year Democratic Republic of the Congo All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 7.85 −0.1 pp
2024 7.95 −0.06 pp
2023 8.01 −0.09 pp
2022 8.1 −1.08 pp
2021 9.18 −0.42 pp
2020 9.6 +1.39 pp
2019 8.21 −0.09 pp
2018 8.3 −0.03 pp
2017 8.33 +0.06 pp
2016 8.28 +0.06 pp
2015 8.22 −0.05 pp
2014 8.28 −0.1 pp
2013 8.38 −0.08 pp
2012 8.46 +0.45 pp
2011 8 +0.51 pp
2010 7.5 +0.5 pp
2009 6.99 +0.55 pp
2008 6.45 +0.51 pp
2007 5.94 +0.51 pp
2006 5.44 +0.5 pp
2005 4.93 −0.04 pp
2004 4.97 −0.1 pp
2003 5.07 −0.14 pp
2002 5.21 −0.09 pp
2001 5.3 +0 pp
2000 5.3 +0.01 pp
1999 5.29 +0.03 pp
1998 5.25 +0.02 pp
1997 5.24 −0 pp
1996 5.24 −0.15 pp
1995 5.39 −0.12 pp
1994 5.51 −0.03 pp
1993 5.54 +0.08 pp
1992 5.46 +0.1 pp
1991 5.36 —

About the indicator

The share of the economically active population aged 15–24 that is unemployed. In almost every country youth unemployment runs two to three times above the overall rate: the young have no experience, and their first entry into the labor market puts them up against more qualified workers. A sharp gap with the overall rate points to structural problems in the transition from school to work.

Source: ILOSTAT (ILO), license CC BY 4.0.