Youth unemployment — all countries

Youth unemployment — Iceland

Youth unemployment in Iceland in 2025 — 8.67%. Ranked 55 in the world out of 182. Since 1991, the indicator has risen by 3.82 pp.

2025 8.67% −0.11 pp vs 2024
World rank 55of 182
Period maximum 15.86%2010
Period minimum 4.19%1999

Trend over time

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

Youth unemployment — Iceland, 1991–20250510152019911995199920032007201120152019202320251991: 4.85%1992: 9.78%1993: 9.89%1994: 11.46%1995: 11.7%1996: 8.33%1997: 7.84%1998: 6.78%1999: 4.19%2000: 4.25%2001: 4.86%2002: 6.16%2003: 11.82%2004: 11.49%2005: 7.05%2006: 7.92%2007: 6.69%2008: 7.87%2009: 15.46%2010: 15.86%2011: 14.15%2012: 13.2%2013: 10.42%2014: 9.57%2015: 8.58%2016: 6.32%2017: 7.54%2018: 5.9%2019: 8.45%2020: 9.87%2021: 11.83%2022: 8.42%2023: 8.49%2024: 8.78%2025: 8.67%
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: Iceland

Iceland 8.67%
World 13.41%
Northern Europe computed 15.5%
High-income countries computed 11.17%
Youth unemployment — Iceland, by year Iceland All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 8.67 −0.11 pp
2024 8.78 +0.29 pp
2023 8.49 +0.07 pp
2022 8.42 −3.41 pp
2021 11.83 +1.96 pp
2020 9.87 +1.42 pp
2019 8.45 +2.55 pp
2018 5.9 −1.64 pp
2017 7.54 +1.23 pp
2016 6.32 −2.26 pp
2015 8.58 −0.99 pp
2014 9.57 −0.85 pp
2013 10.42 −2.79 pp
2012 13.2 −0.95 pp
2011 14.15 −1.71 pp
2010 15.86 +0.4 pp
2009 15.46 +7.59 pp
2008 7.87 +1.18 pp
2007 6.69 −1.24 pp
2006 7.92 +0.87 pp
2005 7.05 −4.44 pp
2004 11.49 −0.32 pp
2003 11.82 +5.66 pp
2002 6.16 +1.3 pp
2001 4.86 +0.61 pp
2000 4.25 +0.06 pp
1999 4.19 −2.59 pp
1998 6.78 −1.06 pp
1997 7.84 −0.49 pp
1996 8.33 −3.37 pp
1995 11.7 +0.24 pp
1994 11.46 +1.56 pp
1993 9.89 +0.11 pp
1992 9.78 +4.93 pp
1991 4.85

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.