Belgium Youth Unemployment
Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) SL.UEM.1524.ZS
Belgium's youth unemployment was 17.78% in 2025, ranked 122nd globally. This represents a 2.5% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Belgium's youth unemployment stood at 17.78% in 2025, a rise of +0.43pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 17.19% by 2026. Belgium ranked 122nd globally.
Belgium’s youth unemployment rate stood at 17.78 % in 2025, placing the country 122nd in the world according to World Bank data. Over the 35‑year span from 1991 to 2025 the indicator has risen from an early level of 13.96 % to a post‑crisis peak of 23.69 % in 2013, before gradually receding to the current figure. The all‑time trough of 13.20 % occurred in 1992, shortly after the end of the Cold‑War expansion, highlighting the volatility of the labour market for young workers. Belgium’s recent rate is closely aligned with those of Colombia (17.65 %) and Brunei Darussalam (18.23 %), underscoring a broader European‑wide challenge in integrating graduates and early‑career entrants. Structural reforms aimed at improving vocational training, reducing skill mismatches and encouraging sectoral mobility could moderate the upward pressure and steer the youth unemployment trend downward in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Youth Unemployment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 17.21% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 17.20% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 17.19% | - | - |
| 2025 | 17.78% | +0.43pp | #122 |
| 2024 | 17.34% | +1.22pp | #121 |
| 2023 | 16.12% | −0.29pp | #114 |
| 2022 | 16.41% | −1.80pp | #114 |
| 2021 | 18.21% | +2.88pp | #116 |
| 2020 | 15.33% | +1.09pp | #94 |
| 2019 | 14.24% | −1.51pp | #102 |
| 2018 | 15.75% | −3.49pp | #109 |
| 2017 | 19.24% | −0.87pp | #121 |
| 2016 | 20.11% | −2.02pp | #122 |
| 2015 | 22.13% | −1.10pp | #130 |
| 2014 | 23.23% | −0.46pp | #127 |
| 2013 | 23.69% | +3.95pp | #132 |
| 2012 | 19.74% | +1.01pp | #117 |
| 2011 | 18.72% | −3.67pp | #114 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Belgium matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw youth unemployment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Belgium's youth unemployment was 17.78% in 2025. Ranked 122nd globally. This represents a 2.5% increase from the previous year.
Belgium's youth unemployment peaked at 23.69% in 2013.
The lowest youth unemployment in Belgium was 13.20% in 1992.
Belgium ranks 122nd globally in youth unemployment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.1524.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Belgium's youth unemployment is projected to reach 17.19% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The youth unemployment of Belgium in 2025 was 17.78%. This ranks 122nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_belgium_youth-unemployment,
title = {Belgium Youth Unemployment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/belgium/youth-unemployment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}