Youth unemployment — all countries

Youth unemployment — Lesotho

Youth unemployment in Lesotho in 2025 — 24.67%. Ranked 152 in the world out of 182. Since 1991, the indicator has risen by 3.03 pp.

2025 24.67% −0.07 pp vs 2024
World rank 152of 182
Period maximum 28.22%2020
Period minimum 21.58%1992

Trend over time

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

Youth unemployment — Lesotho, 1991–202520222426283019911995199920032007201120152019202320251991: 21.64%1992: 21.58%1993: 21.71%1994: 21.77%1995: 21.97%1996: 21.85%1997: 21.98%1998: 22.1%1999: 22.42%2000: 22.44%2001: 22.36%2002: 22.38%2003: 22.39%2004: 22.55%2005: 22.47%2006: 22.56%2007: 22.5%2008: 22.48%2009: 22.92%2010: 22.99%2011: 23.2%2012: 22.92%2013: 23.29%2014: 23.64%2015: 24%2016: 24.05%2017: 24.48%2018: 24.89%2019: 25.32%2020: 28.22%2021: 27.19%2022: 25.06%2023: 24.74%2024: 24.74%2025: 24.67%
Change over the period: +3.03 pp Annual average: 0.09 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Lesotho 24.67%
World 13.41%
Southern Africa computed 57.44%
Youth unemployment — Lesotho, by year Lesotho All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 24.67 −0.07 pp
2024 24.74 +0 pp
2023 24.74 −0.32 pp
2022 25.06 −2.13 pp
2021 27.19 −1.03 pp
2020 28.22 +2.9 pp
2019 25.32 +0.43 pp
2018 24.89 +0.41 pp
2017 24.48 +0.43 pp
2016 24.05 +0.05 pp
2015 24 +0.36 pp
2014 23.64 +0.34 pp
2013 23.29 +0.37 pp
2012 22.92 −0.28 pp
2011 23.2 +0.2 pp
2010 22.99 +0.07 pp
2009 22.92 +0.44 pp
2008 22.48 −0.02 pp
2007 22.5 −0.06 pp
2006 22.56 +0.09 pp
2005 22.47 −0.09 pp
2004 22.55 +0.17 pp
2003 22.39 +0 pp
2002 22.38 +0.03 pp
2001 22.36 −0.08 pp
2000 22.44 +0.02 pp
1999 22.42 +0.32 pp
1998 22.1 +0.12 pp
1997 21.98 +0.13 pp
1996 21.85 −0.12 pp
1995 21.97 +0.2 pp
1994 21.77 +0.05 pp
1993 21.71 +0.14 pp
1992 21.58 −0.06 pp
1991 21.64

Southern Africa, 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.