Youth unemployment — all countries

Youth unemployment — Zambia

Youth unemployment in Zambia in 2025 — 10.47%. Ranked 77 in the world out of 182. Since 1991, the indicator has fallen by 23.16 pp.

2025 10.47% +0.37 pp vs 2024
World rank 77of 182
Period maximum 34.74%1993
Period minimum 8.51%2017

Trend over time

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

Youth unemployment — Zambia, 1991–202501020304019911995199920032007201120152019202320251991: 33.63%1992: 34.58%1993: 34.74%1994: 32.76%1995: 29.55%1996: 26.82%1997: 23.36%1998: 21.02%1999: 21.82%2000: 22.54%2001: 24.05%2002: 25.98%2003: 27.74%2004: 29.63%2005: 31.46%2006: 26.77%2007: 21.86%2008: 16.79%2009: 22.9%2010: 29.16%2011: 23.22%2012: 17.16%2013: 15.71%2014: 14%2015: 12.36%2016: 10.51%2017: 8.51%2018: 8.75%2019: 10.35%2020: 11.04%2021: 9.36%2022: 9.85%2023: 10.04%2024: 10.1%2025: 10.47%
Change over the period: −23.16 pp Annual average: -0.68 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Zambia 10.47%
World 13.41%
Eastern Africa computed 7.77%
Youth unemployment — Zambia, by year Zambia All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 10.47 +0.37 pp
2024 10.1 +0.06 pp
2023 10.04 +0.19 pp
2022 9.85 +0.48 pp
2021 9.36 −1.68 pp
2020 11.04 +0.69 pp
2019 10.35 +1.6 pp
2018 8.75 +0.23 pp
2017 8.51 −1.99 pp
2016 10.51 −1.86 pp
2015 12.36 −1.64 pp
2014 14 −1.71 pp
2013 15.71 −1.45 pp
2012 17.16 −6.06 pp
2011 23.22 −5.95 pp
2010 29.16 +6.27 pp
2009 22.9 +6.11 pp
2008 16.79 −5.07 pp
2007 21.86 −4.91 pp
2006 26.77 −4.69 pp
2005 31.46 +1.84 pp
2004 29.63 +1.89 pp
2003 27.74 +1.75 pp
2002 25.98 +1.94 pp
2001 24.05 +1.5 pp
2000 22.54 +0.72 pp
1999 21.82 +0.8 pp
1998 21.02 −2.34 pp
1997 23.36 −3.46 pp
1996 26.82 −2.73 pp
1995 29.55 −3.21 pp
1994 32.76 −1.98 pp
1993 34.74 +0.16 pp
1992 34.58 +0.95 pp
1991 33.63

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.