Youth unemployment — all countries

Youth unemployment — Eastern Africa

Youth unemployment in Eastern Africa in 2025 — 7.77%. Since 1991, the indicator has fallen by 0.31 pp.

2025 7.77% −0.04 pp vs 2024
World rank —
Period maximum 8.41%2020
Period minimum 6.21%2014

Trend over time

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

Youth unemployment — Eastern Africa, 1991–2025678919911995199920032007201120152019202320251991: 8.08%1992: 8.2%1993: 8.19%1994: 8.04%1995: 7.8%1996: 7.79%1997: 7.77%1998: 7.76%1999: 7.85%2000: 7.78%2001: 7.61%2002: 7.58%2003: 7.53%2004: 7.2%2005: 6.92%2006: 6.83%2007: 6.71%2008: 6.58%2009: 6.88%2010: 7.31%2011: 7.09%2012: 6.69%2013: 6.35%2014: 6.21%2015: 6.31%2016: 6.39%2017: 6.68%2018: 6.95%2019: 7.27%2020: 8.41%2021: 8.26%2022: 8.3%2023: 8.08%2024: 7.81%2025: 7.77%
Change over the period: −0.31 pp Annual average: -0.01 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Eastern Africa 7.77%
World 13.41%
Youth unemployment — Eastern Africa, by year Eastern Africa All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 7.77 −0.04 pp
2024 7.81 −0.27 pp
2023 8.08 −0.22 pp
2022 8.3 +0.04 pp
2021 8.26 −0.15 pp
2020 8.41 +1.14 pp
2019 7.27 +0.31 pp
2018 6.95 +0.27 pp
2017 6.68 +0.29 pp
2016 6.39 +0.08 pp
2015 6.31 +0.1 pp
2014 6.21 −0.13 pp
2013 6.35 −0.34 pp
2012 6.69 −0.4 pp
2011 7.09 −0.22 pp
2010 7.31 +0.43 pp
2009 6.88 +0.3 pp
2008 6.58 −0.12 pp
2007 6.71 −0.13 pp
2006 6.83 −0.09 pp
2005 6.92 −0.28 pp
2004 7.2 −0.33 pp
2003 7.53 −0.05 pp
2002 7.58 −0.03 pp
2001 7.61 −0.17 pp
2000 7.78 −0.07 pp
1999 7.85 +0.09 pp
1998 7.76 −0 pp
1997 7.77 −0.02 pp
1996 7.79 −0.01 pp
1995 7.8 −0.25 pp
1994 8.04 −0.15 pp
1993 8.19 −0 pp
1992 8.2 +0.11 pp
1991 8.08 —

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.