Youth unemployment — all countries

Youth unemployment — Iran

Youth unemployment in Iran in 2025 — 21.9%. Ranked 146 in the world out of 182. Since 1991, the indicator has fallen by 1.11 pp.

2025 21.9% +0.59 pp vs 2024
World rank 146of 182
Period maximum 29.09%2016
Period minimum 18.55%1996

Trend over time

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

Youth unemployment — Iran, 1991–20251520253019911995199920032007201120152019202320251991: 23.01%1992: 22.14%1993: 21.82%1994: 21.36%1995: 20.16%1996: 18.55%1997: 19.61%1998: 20.78%1999: 22.15%2000: 23.09%2001: 24.28%2002: 25.17%2003: 22.68%2004: 20.35%2005: 23.4%2006: 23.53%2007: 22.35%2008: 23.14%2009: 24.72%2010: 28.7%2011: 26.65%2012: 26.89%2013: 23.87%2014: 24.97%2015: 25.96%2016: 29.09%2017: 28.21%2018: 27.5%2019: 25.95%2020: 23.71%2021: 23.75%2022: 22.69%2023: 21.27%2024: 21.31%2025: 21.9%
Change over the period: −1.11 pp Annual average: -0.03 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Iran 21.9%
World 13.41%
Southern Asia computed 15.06%
Youth unemployment — Iran, by year Iran All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 21.9 +0.59 pp
2024 21.31 +0.04 pp
2023 21.27 −1.42 pp
2022 22.69 −1.07 pp
2021 23.75 +0.04 pp
2020 23.71 −2.24 pp
2019 25.95 −1.55 pp
2018 27.5 −0.71 pp
2017 28.21 −0.88 pp
2016 29.09 +3.13 pp
2015 25.96 +0.99 pp
2014 24.97 +1.1 pp
2013 23.87 −3.02 pp
2012 26.89 +0.25 pp
2011 26.65 −2.06 pp
2010 28.7 +3.98 pp
2009 24.72 +1.58 pp
2008 23.14 +0.79 pp
2007 22.35 −1.19 pp
2006 23.53 +0.14 pp
2005 23.4 +3.05 pp
2004 20.35 −2.34 pp
2003 22.68 −2.49 pp
2002 25.17 +0.89 pp
2001 24.28 +1.19 pp
2000 23.09 +0.94 pp
1999 22.15 +1.38 pp
1998 20.78 +1.17 pp
1997 19.61 +1.06 pp
1996 18.55 −1.6 pp
1995 20.16 −1.21 pp
1994 21.36 −0.46 pp
1993 21.82 −0.32 pp
1992 22.14 −0.87 pp
1991 23.01

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.