Youth unemployment — all countries

Youth unemployment — Iran

Youth unemployment in Iran in 2025 — 21.9%. Ranked 146 in the world out of 182. Since 1991, the indicator has fallen by 1.11 pp.

2025 21.9% +0.59 pp vs 2024
World rank 146of 182
Period maximum 29.09%2016
Period minimum 18.55%1996

Trend over time

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

Youth unemployment — Iran, 1991–20251520253019911995199920032007201120152019202320251991: 23.01%1992: 22.14%1993: 21.82%1994: 21.36%1995: 20.16%1996: 18.55%1997: 19.61%1998: 20.78%1999: 22.15%2000: 23.09%2001: 24.28%2002: 25.17%2003: 22.68%2004: 20.35%2005: 23.4%2006: 23.53%2007: 22.35%2008: 23.14%2009: 24.72%2010: 28.7%2011: 26.65%2012: 26.89%2013: 23.87%2014: 24.97%2015: 25.96%2016: 29.09%2017: 28.21%2018: 27.5%2019: 25.95%2020: 23.71%2021: 23.75%2022: 22.69%2023: 21.27%2024: 21.31%2025: 21.9%
Change over the period: −1.11 pp Annual average: -0.03 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Iran 21.9%
World 13.41%
Southern Asia computed 15.06%
Youth unemployment — Iran, by year Iran All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 21.9 +0.59 pp
2024 21.31 +0.04 pp
2023 21.27 −1.42 pp
2022 22.69 −1.07 pp
2021 23.75 +0.04 pp
2020 23.71 −2.24 pp
2019 25.95 −1.55 pp
2018 27.5 −0.71 pp
2017 28.21 −0.88 pp
2016 29.09 +3.13 pp
2015 25.96 +0.99 pp
2014 24.97 +1.1 pp
2013 23.87 −3.02 pp
2012 26.89 +0.25 pp
2011 26.65 −2.06 pp
2010 28.7 +3.98 pp
2009 24.72 +1.58 pp
2008 23.14 +0.79 pp
2007 22.35 −1.19 pp
2006 23.53 +0.14 pp
2005 23.4 +3.05 pp
2004 20.35 −2.34 pp
2003 22.68 −2.49 pp
2002 25.17 +0.89 pp
2001 24.28 +1.19 pp
2000 23.09 +0.94 pp
1999 22.15 +1.38 pp
1998 20.78 +1.17 pp
1997 19.61 +1.06 pp
1996 18.55 −1.6 pp
1995 20.16 −1.21 pp
1994 21.36 −0.46 pp
1993 21.82 −0.32 pp
1992 22.14 −0.87 pp
1991 23.01 —

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.