Youth unemployment — all countries

Youth unemployment — Democratic Republic of the Congo

Youth unemployment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2025 — 7.85%. Ranked 48 in the world out of 182. Since 1991, the indicator has risen by 2.49 pp.

2025 7.85% −0.1 pp vs 2024
World rank 48of 182
Period maximum 9.6%2020
Period minimum 4.93%2005

Trend over time

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

Youth unemployment — Democratic Republic of the Congo, 1991–20254681019911995199920032007201120152019202320251991: 5.36%1992: 5.46%1993: 5.54%1994: 5.51%1995: 5.39%1996: 5.24%1997: 5.24%1998: 5.25%1999: 5.29%2000: 5.3%2001: 5.3%2002: 5.21%2003: 5.07%2004: 4.97%2005: 4.93%2006: 5.44%2007: 5.94%2008: 6.45%2009: 6.99%2010: 7.5%2011: 8%2012: 8.46%2013: 8.38%2014: 8.28%2015: 8.22%2016: 8.28%2017: 8.33%2018: 8.3%2019: 8.21%2020: 9.6%2021: 9.18%2022: 8.1%2023: 8.01%2024: 7.95%2025: 7.85%
Change over the period: +2.49 pp Annual average: 0.07 pp

Comparison, 2025

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Democratic Republic of the Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo 7.85%
World 13.41%
Middle Africa computed 12.58%
Low-income countries computed 8.88%
Youth unemployment — Democratic Republic of the Congo, by year Democratic Republic of the Congo All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 7.85 −0.1 pp
2024 7.95 −0.06 pp
2023 8.01 −0.09 pp
2022 8.1 −1.08 pp
2021 9.18 −0.42 pp
2020 9.6 +1.39 pp
2019 8.21 −0.09 pp
2018 8.3 −0.03 pp
2017 8.33 +0.06 pp
2016 8.28 +0.06 pp
2015 8.22 −0.05 pp
2014 8.28 −0.1 pp
2013 8.38 −0.08 pp
2012 8.46 +0.45 pp
2011 8 +0.51 pp
2010 7.5 +0.5 pp
2009 6.99 +0.55 pp
2008 6.45 +0.51 pp
2007 5.94 +0.51 pp
2006 5.44 +0.5 pp
2005 4.93 −0.04 pp
2004 4.97 −0.1 pp
2003 5.07 −0.14 pp
2002 5.21 −0.09 pp
2001 5.3 +0 pp
2000 5.3 +0.01 pp
1999 5.29 +0.03 pp
1998 5.25 +0.02 pp
1997 5.24 −0 pp
1996 5.24 −0.15 pp
1995 5.39 −0.12 pp
1994 5.51 −0.03 pp
1993 5.54 +0.08 pp
1992 5.46 +0.1 pp
1991 5.36

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.