Youth unemployment — all countries

Youth unemployment — Zambia

Youth unemployment in Zambia in 2025 — 10.47%. Ranked 77 in the world out of 182. Since 1991, the indicator has fallen by 23.16 pp.

2025 10.47% +0.37 pp vs 2024
World rank 77of 182
Period maximum 34.74%1993
Period minimum 8.51%2017

Trend over time

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

Youth unemployment — Zambia, 1991–202501020304019911995199920032007201120152019202320251991: 33.63%1992: 34.58%1993: 34.74%1994: 32.76%1995: 29.55%1996: 26.82%1997: 23.36%1998: 21.02%1999: 21.82%2000: 22.54%2001: 24.05%2002: 25.98%2003: 27.74%2004: 29.63%2005: 31.46%2006: 26.77%2007: 21.86%2008: 16.79%2009: 22.9%2010: 29.16%2011: 23.22%2012: 17.16%2013: 15.71%2014: 14%2015: 12.36%2016: 10.51%2017: 8.51%2018: 8.75%2019: 10.35%2020: 11.04%2021: 9.36%2022: 9.85%2023: 10.04%2024: 10.1%2025: 10.47%
Change over the period: −23.16 pp Annual average: -0.68 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Zambia 10.47%
World 13.41%
Eastern Africa computed 7.77%
Youth unemployment — Zambia, by year Zambia All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 10.47 +0.37 pp
2024 10.1 +0.06 pp
2023 10.04 +0.19 pp
2022 9.85 +0.48 pp
2021 9.36 −1.68 pp
2020 11.04 +0.69 pp
2019 10.35 +1.6 pp
2018 8.75 +0.23 pp
2017 8.51 −1.99 pp
2016 10.51 −1.86 pp
2015 12.36 −1.64 pp
2014 14 −1.71 pp
2013 15.71 −1.45 pp
2012 17.16 −6.06 pp
2011 23.22 −5.95 pp
2010 29.16 +6.27 pp
2009 22.9 +6.11 pp
2008 16.79 −5.07 pp
2007 21.86 −4.91 pp
2006 26.77 −4.69 pp
2005 31.46 +1.84 pp
2004 29.63 +1.89 pp
2003 27.74 +1.75 pp
2002 25.98 +1.94 pp
2001 24.05 +1.5 pp
2000 22.54 +0.72 pp
1999 21.82 +0.8 pp
1998 21.02 −2.34 pp
1997 23.36 −3.46 pp
1996 26.82 −2.73 pp
1995 29.55 −3.21 pp
1994 32.76 −1.98 pp
1993 34.74 +0.16 pp
1992 34.58 +0.95 pp
1991 33.63 —

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.