Youth unemployment — all countries

Youth unemployment — Iceland

Youth unemployment in Iceland in 2025 — 8.67%. Ranked 55 in the world out of 182. Since 1991, the indicator has risen by 3.82 pp.

2025 8.67% −0.11 pp vs 2024
World rank 55of 182
Period maximum 15.86%2010
Period minimum 4.19%1999

Trend over time

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

Youth unemployment — Iceland, 1991–20250510152019911995199920032007201120152019202320251991: 4.85%1992: 9.78%1993: 9.89%1994: 11.46%1995: 11.7%1996: 8.33%1997: 7.84%1998: 6.78%1999: 4.19%2000: 4.25%2001: 4.86%2002: 6.16%2003: 11.82%2004: 11.49%2005: 7.05%2006: 7.92%2007: 6.69%2008: 7.87%2009: 15.46%2010: 15.86%2011: 14.15%2012: 13.2%2013: 10.42%2014: 9.57%2015: 8.58%2016: 6.32%2017: 7.54%2018: 5.9%2019: 8.45%2020: 9.87%2021: 11.83%2022: 8.42%2023: 8.49%2024: 8.78%2025: 8.67%
Change over the period: +3.82 pp Annual average: 0.11 pp

Comparison, 2025

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Iceland

Iceland 8.67%
World 13.41%
Northern Europe computed 15.5%
High-income countries computed 11.17%
Youth unemployment — Iceland, by year Iceland All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 8.67 −0.11 pp
2024 8.78 +0.29 pp
2023 8.49 +0.07 pp
2022 8.42 −3.41 pp
2021 11.83 +1.96 pp
2020 9.87 +1.42 pp
2019 8.45 +2.55 pp
2018 5.9 −1.64 pp
2017 7.54 +1.23 pp
2016 6.32 −2.26 pp
2015 8.58 −0.99 pp
2014 9.57 −0.85 pp
2013 10.42 −2.79 pp
2012 13.2 −0.95 pp
2011 14.15 −1.71 pp
2010 15.86 +0.4 pp
2009 15.46 +7.59 pp
2008 7.87 +1.18 pp
2007 6.69 −1.24 pp
2006 7.92 +0.87 pp
2005 7.05 −4.44 pp
2004 11.49 −0.32 pp
2003 11.82 +5.66 pp
2002 6.16 +1.3 pp
2001 4.86 +0.61 pp
2000 4.25 +0.06 pp
1999 4.19 −2.59 pp
1998 6.78 −1.06 pp
1997 7.84 −0.49 pp
1996 8.33 −3.37 pp
1995 11.7 +0.24 pp
1994 11.46 +1.56 pp
1993 9.89 +0.11 pp
1992 9.78 +4.93 pp
1991 4.85 —

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.