Youth unemployment — all countries

Youth unemployment — Saudi Arabia

Youth unemployment in Saudi Arabia in 2025 — 10.01%. Ranked 71 in the world out of 182. Since 1991, the indicator has fallen by 23.02 pp.

2025 10.01% −1.49 pp vs 2024
World rank 71of 182
Period maximum 33.03%1991
Period minimum 10.01%2025

Trend over time

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

Youth unemployment — Saudi Arabia, 1991–202501020304019911995199920032007201120152019202320251991: 33.03%1992: 32.71%1993: 32.5%1994: 31.88%1995: 30.74%1996: 28.69%1997: 26.68%1998: 24.52%1999: 22.78%2000: 22.85%2001: 22.44%2002: 23.89%2003: 24.44%2004: 25.08%2005: 25.8%2006: 26.46%2007: 23.81%2008: 23.25%2009: 24.74%2010: 24.74%2011: 25.11%2012: 24.84%2013: 26.95%2014: 28.6%2015: 28.16%2016: 24.28%2017: 31.5%2018: 30.21%2019: 25.48%2020: 29.63%2021: 19.77%2022: 15.96%2023: 13.47%2024: 11.5%2025: 10.01%
Change over the period: −23.02 pp Annual average: -0.68 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Saudi Arabia 10.01%
World 13.41%
Western Asia computed 18.31%
High-income countries computed 11.17%
Youth unemployment — Saudi Arabia, by year Saudi Arabia All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 10.01 −1.49 pp
2024 11.5 −1.97 pp
2023 13.47 −2.49 pp
2022 15.96 −3.81 pp
2021 19.77 −9.86 pp
2020 29.63 +4.15 pp
2019 25.48 −4.74 pp
2018 30.21 −1.29 pp
2017 31.5 +7.23 pp
2016 24.28 −3.88 pp
2015 28.16 −0.45 pp
2014 28.6 +1.66 pp
2013 26.95 +2.1 pp
2012 24.84 −0.27 pp
2011 25.11 +0.37 pp
2010 24.74 −0 pp
2009 24.74 +1.49 pp
2008 23.25 −0.56 pp
2007 23.81 −2.65 pp
2006 26.46 +0.66 pp
2005 25.8 +0.72 pp
2004 25.08 +0.64 pp
2003 24.44 +0.55 pp
2002 23.89 +1.45 pp
2001 22.44 −0.41 pp
2000 22.85 +0.06 pp
1999 22.78 −1.73 pp
1998 24.52 −2.17 pp
1997 26.68 −2.01 pp
1996 28.69 −2.05 pp
1995 30.74 −1.14 pp
1994 31.88 −0.61 pp
1993 32.5 −0.21 pp
1992 32.71 −0.33 pp
1991 33.03 —

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.