Bulgaria Youth Unemployment
Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) SL.UEM.1524.ZS
Bulgaria's youth unemployment was 10.15% in 2025, ranked 73rd globally. This represents a 18.7% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Bulgaria's youth unemployment stood at 10.15% in 2025, a decline of +2.34pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 9.44% by 2026. Bulgaria ranked 73rd globally.
Bulgaria's youth unemployment rate has fluctuated significantly over the past three and a half decades, with a peak of 39.09% in 2001. Although the rate has declined substantially since then, with a trough of 8.78% in 2019, it has begun to rise again, reaching 10.15% in 2025. This current rate is higher than that of several peer countries, including the Central African Republic, where the youth unemployment rate is 10.09%. The rate of 10.15% in 2025 indicates that Bulgaria's youth labor market is still facing challenges. The long-term trend suggests that economic growth and investment in education and job training programs are essential to reducing youth unemployment in Bulgaria. A sustained increase in the country's economic growth rate and successful implementation of policies aimed at promoting youth employment would likely alter the trajectory of this indicator.
Data & projection
| Year | Youth Unemployment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 7.60% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 8.52% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 9.44% | - | - |
| 2025 | 10.15% | −2.34pp | #73 |
| 2024 | 12.49% | +0.44pp | #87 |
| 2023 | 12.05% | +1.47pp | #89 |
| 2022 | 10.58% | −5.12pp | #77 |
| 2021 | 15.70% | +1.56pp | #99 |
| 2020 | 14.14% | +5.37pp | #83 |
| 2019 | 8.78% | −3.90pp | #60 |
| 2018 | 12.68% | −0.25pp | #94 |
| 2017 | 12.93% | −4.30pp | #90 |
| 2016 | 17.22% | −4.43pp | #109 |
| 2015 | 21.65% | −2.12pp | #128 |
| 2014 | 23.77% | −4.60pp | #133 |
| 2013 | 28.37% | +0.26pp | #148 |
| 2012 | 28.11% | +3.05pp | #145 |
| 2011 | 25.06% | +3.11pp | #143 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Bulgaria matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2022. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw youth unemployment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Bulgaria's youth unemployment was 10.15% in 2025. Ranked 73rd globally. This represents a 18.7% decrease from the previous year.
Bulgaria's youth unemployment peaked at 39.09% in 2001.
The lowest youth unemployment in Bulgaria was 8.78% in 2019.
Bulgaria ranks 73rd globally in youth unemployment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.1524.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Bulgaria's youth unemployment is projected to reach 9.44% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The youth unemployment of Bulgaria in 2025 was 10.15%. This ranks 73rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_bulgaria_youth-unemployment,
title = {Bulgaria Youth Unemployment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/bulgaria/youth-unemployment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}