Youth unemployment — all countries

Youth unemployment — South America

Youth unemployment in South America in 2025 — 14.31%. Since 1991, the indicator has risen by 1.39 pp.

2025 14.31% −1.1 pp vs 2024
World rank —
Period maximum 25.95%2020
Period minimum 12.54%1993

Trend over time

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

Youth unemployment — South America, 1991–2025101520253019911995199920032007201120152019202320251991: 12.92%1992: 12.98%1993: 12.54%1994: 13.78%1995: 15.99%1996: 17.59%1997: 17.93%1998: 19.27%1999: 21.98%2000: 22.17%2001: 21.17%2002: 22.23%2003: 21.65%2004: 20.56%2005: 19.9%2006: 18.45%2007: 17.32%2008: 16.66%2009: 18.25%2010: 16.93%2011: 15.98%2012: 15.15%2013: 15.21%2014: 15%2015: 16.86%2016: 20.76%2017: 21.96%2018: 21.86%2019: 21.8%2020: 25.95%2021: 23.11%2022: 17.83%2023: 16.33%2024: 15.41%2025: 14.31%
Change over the period: +1.39 pp Annual average: 0.04 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

South America 14.31%
World 13.41%
Youth unemployment — South America, by year South America All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 14.31 −1.1 pp
2024 15.41 −0.92 pp
2023 16.33 −1.49 pp
2022 17.83 −5.29 pp
2021 23.11 −2.83 pp
2020 25.95 +4.14 pp
2019 21.8 −0.06 pp
2018 21.86 −0.1 pp
2017 21.96 +1.2 pp
2016 20.76 +3.9 pp
2015 16.86 +1.86 pp
2014 15 −0.21 pp
2013 15.21 +0.07 pp
2012 15.15 −0.84 pp
2011 15.98 −0.94 pp
2010 16.93 −1.33 pp
2009 18.25 +1.59 pp
2008 16.66 −0.66 pp
2007 17.32 −1.13 pp
2006 18.45 −1.45 pp
2005 19.9 −0.66 pp
2004 20.56 −1.1 pp
2003 21.65 −0.58 pp
2002 22.23 +1.06 pp
2001 21.17 −1 pp
2000 22.17 +0.19 pp
1999 21.98 +2.71 pp
1998 19.27 +1.34 pp
1997 17.93 +0.34 pp
1996 17.59 +1.59 pp
1995 15.99 +2.22 pp
1994 13.78 +1.23 pp
1993 12.54 −0.44 pp
1992 12.98 +0.06 pp
1991 12.92 —

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.