Botswana Youth Unemployment
Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) SL.UEM.1524.ZS
Botswana's youth unemployment was 46.00% in 2025, ranked 177th globally. This represents a 1.6% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Botswana's youth unemployment stood at 46.00% in 2025, a rise of +0.71pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 46.72% by 2026. Botswana ranked 177th globally.
Botswana’s youth unemployment rate has risen sharply over the past three and a half decades, reaching 46.00 % in 2025, which places the country 177th in the global ranking. The indicator climbed from a low of 25.70 % in 1991, the earliest year on record, to an all‑time peak of 47.04 % in 2003, before settling at the current level that remains only slightly below that high point. Compared with peers of similar rank, Botswana’s rate is lower than Eswatini’s 54.33 % but higher than the Republic of Congo’s 40.50 % and St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ 41.95 %, suggesting that regional labor market pressures are broadly shared. The persistent upward trajectory reflects structural challenges such as limited entry‑level job creation and a growing cohort of school‑leavers. Continued investment in vocational training and diversification of the economy will be crucial to reverse the upward trend and bring youth unemployment down in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Youth Unemployment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 48.32% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 47.52% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 46.72% | - | - |
| 2025 | 46.00% | +0.71pp | #177 |
| 2024 | 45.30% | +0.94pp | #177 |
| 2023 | 44.36% | +1.75pp | #179 |
| 2022 | 42.61% | −0.74pp | #180 |
| 2021 | 43.36% | +2.92pp | #178 |
| 2020 | 40.44% | +5.85pp | #173 |
| 2019 | 34.59% | +0.18pp | #169 |
| 2018 | 34.40% | −0.47pp | #168 |
| 2017 | 34.87% | +0.02pp | #167 |
| 2016 | 34.85% | +0.11pp | #162 |
| 2015 | 34.74% | +0.14pp | #161 |
| 2014 | 34.60% | −0.00pp | #158 |
| 2013 | 34.60% | −0.05pp | #159 |
| 2012 | 34.65% | −0.54pp | #164 |
| 2011 | 35.20% | +0.10pp | #163 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Botswana matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2023. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw youth unemployment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Botswana's youth unemployment was 46.00% in 2025. Ranked 177th globally. This represents a 1.6% increase from the previous year.
Botswana's youth unemployment peaked at 47.04% in 2003.
The lowest youth unemployment in Botswana was 25.71% in 1991.
Botswana ranks 177th globally in youth unemployment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.1524.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Botswana's youth unemployment is projected to reach 46.72% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The youth unemployment of Botswana in 2025 was 46.00%. This ranks 177th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_botswana_youth-unemployment,
title = {Botswana Youth Unemployment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/botswana/youth-unemployment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}