Youth unemployment — all countries

Youth unemployment — Southern Asia

Youth unemployment in Southern Asia in 2025 — 15.06%. Since 1991, the indicator has fallen by 2.58 pp.

2025 15.06% +0.24 pp vs 2024
World rank —
Period maximum 22.67%2018
Period minimum 14.57%2023

Trend over time

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

Youth unemployment — Southern Asia, 1991–202512.51517.52022.52519911995199920032007201120152019202320251991: 17.64%1992: 17.63%1993: 17.7%1994: 17.6%1995: 17.53%1996: 17.38%1997: 17.5%1998: 17.57%1999: 17.66%2000: 17.72%2001: 17.86%2002: 18.09%2003: 17.93%2004: 18.04%2005: 18.34%2006: 18.36%2007: 18.6%2008: 19.03%2009: 19.46%2010: 19.55%2011: 19.81%2012: 20.83%2013: 20.92%2014: 21.01%2015: 21.54%2016: 21.81%2017: 22.25%2018: 22.67%2019: 20.49%2020: 22.01%2021: 19.15%2022: 16.49%2023: 14.57%2024: 14.82%2025: 15.06%
Change over the period: −2.58 pp Annual average: -0.08 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Southern Asia 15.06%
World 13.41%
Youth unemployment — Southern Asia, by year Southern Asia All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 15.06 +0.24 pp
2024 14.82 +0.25 pp
2023 14.57 −1.91 pp
2022 16.49 −2.66 pp
2021 19.15 −2.87 pp
2020 22.01 +1.52 pp
2019 20.49 −2.18 pp
2018 22.67 +0.41 pp
2017 22.25 +0.44 pp
2016 21.81 +0.27 pp
2015 21.54 +0.53 pp
2014 21.01 +0.09 pp
2013 20.92 +0.09 pp
2012 20.83 +1.02 pp
2011 19.81 +0.26 pp
2010 19.55 +0.09 pp
2009 19.46 +0.43 pp
2008 19.03 +0.43 pp
2007 18.6 +0.24 pp
2006 18.36 +0.02 pp
2005 18.34 +0.3 pp
2004 18.04 +0.11 pp
2003 17.93 −0.16 pp
2002 18.09 +0.23 pp
2001 17.86 +0.13 pp
2000 17.72 +0.06 pp
1999 17.66 +0.09 pp
1998 17.57 +0.07 pp
1997 17.5 +0.11 pp
1996 17.38 −0.15 pp
1995 17.53 −0.07 pp
1994 17.6 −0.1 pp
1993 17.7 +0.07 pp
1992 17.63 −0 pp
1991 17.64 —

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.