Youth unemployment — all countries

Youth unemployment — Belgium

Youth unemployment in Belgium in 2025 — 17.78%. Ranked 123 in the world out of 182. Since 1991, the indicator has risen by 3.82 pp.

2025 17.78% +0.43 pp vs 2024
World rank 123of 182
Period maximum 23.69%2013
Period minimum 13.2%1992

Trend over time

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

Youth unemployment — Belgium, 1991–20251015202519911995199920032007201120152019202320251991: 13.96%1992: 13.2%1993: 18.43%1994: 21.87%1995: 21.54%1996: 20.5%1997: 21.28%1998: 20.39%1999: 22.58%2000: 15.25%2001: 15.33%2002: 15.65%2003: 18.98%2004: 17.5%2005: 21.48%2006: 20.51%2007: 18.84%2008: 17.97%2009: 21.94%2010: 22.39%2011: 18.72%2012: 19.74%2013: 23.69%2014: 23.23%2015: 22.13%2016: 20.11%2017: 19.24%2018: 15.75%2019: 14.24%2020: 15.33%2021: 18.21%2022: 16.41%2023: 16.12%2024: 17.34%2025: 17.78%
Change over the period: +3.82 pp Annual average: 0.11 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Belgium 17.78%
World 13.41%
Western Europe computed 11.78%
High-income countries computed 11.17%
Youth unemployment — Belgium, by year Belgium All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 17.78 +0.43 pp
2024 17.34 +1.22 pp
2023 16.12 −0.29 pp
2022 16.41 −1.8 pp
2021 18.21 +2.88 pp
2020 15.33 +1.09 pp
2019 14.24 −1.51 pp
2018 15.75 −3.49 pp
2017 19.24 −0.87 pp
2016 20.11 −2.02 pp
2015 22.13 −1.1 pp
2014 23.23 −0.46 pp
2013 23.69 +3.95 pp
2012 19.74 +1.01 pp
2011 18.72 −3.67 pp
2010 22.39 +0.45 pp
2009 21.94 +3.97 pp
2008 17.97 −0.87 pp
2007 18.84 −1.67 pp
2006 20.51 −0.97 pp
2005 21.48 +3.98 pp
2004 17.5 −1.48 pp
2003 18.98 +3.33 pp
2002 15.65 +0.32 pp
2001 15.33 +0.08 pp
2000 15.25 −7.33 pp
1999 22.58 +2.19 pp
1998 20.39 −0.88 pp
1997 21.28 +0.78 pp
1996 20.5 −1.04 pp
1995 21.54 −0.33 pp
1994 21.87 +3.44 pp
1993 18.43 +5.23 pp
1992 13.2 −0.75 pp
1991 13.96

Western Europe, 2025

The same indicator for neighboring countries — with links to their pages

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.