Burkina Faso Youth Unemployment
Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) SL.UEM.1524.ZS
Burkina Faso's youth unemployment was 6.44% in 2025, ranked 35th globally. This represents a 1.3% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Burkina Faso's youth unemployment stood at 6.44% in 2025, a decline of +0.09pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 6.00% by 2026. Burkina Faso ranked 35th globally.
Burkina Faso's youth unemployment rate has fluctuated significantly over the past three and a half decades, with a striking peak of 7.98% in 2020 and a trough of 3.79% in 1993. During this period, the country's youth unemployment rate has been steadily increasing, with a slight dip in the early years of the millennium. Notably, the current rate of 6.44% in 2025 is higher than its all-time trough, but lower than its 2020 peak. This trend is somewhat mirrored in peer countries, such as Viet Nam, which had a youth unemployment rate of 6.17% in 2025, and the United Arab Emirates, which had a slightly higher rate of 6.45%. The persistence of high youth unemployment in Burkina Faso underscores the need for targeted policies aimed at improving job prospects for young people. A significant increase in investment in education and vocational training could potentially alter the trajectory of youth unemployment in the country.
Data & projection
| Year | Youth Unemployment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 5.48% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 5.74% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 6.00% | - | - |
| 2025 | 6.44% | −0.09pp | #35 |
| 2024 | 6.53% | −0.04pp | #38 |
| 2023 | 6.57% | −0.15pp | #39 |
| 2022 | 6.72% | −0.92pp | #39 |
| 2021 | 7.64% | −0.34pp | #36 |
| 2020 | 7.98% | +0.55pp | #38 |
| 2019 | 7.43% | −0.21pp | #44 |
| 2018 | 7.64% | +0.11pp | #45 |
| 2017 | 7.53% | +0.15pp | #42 |
| 2016 | 7.38% | +0.22pp | #41 |
| 2015 | 7.16% | +0.33pp | #38 |
| 2014 | 6.84% | +0.31pp | #37 |
| 2013 | 6.53% | +0.32pp | #35 |
| 2012 | 6.21% | +0.10pp | #28 |
| 2011 | 6.11% | +0.19pp | #29 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Burkina Faso matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2008. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw youth unemployment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Burkina Faso's youth unemployment was 6.44% in 2025. Ranked 35th globally. This represents a 1.3% decrease from the previous year.
Burkina Faso's youth unemployment peaked at 7.98% in 2020.
The lowest youth unemployment in Burkina Faso was 3.79% in 1993.
Burkina Faso ranks 35th globally in youth unemployment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.1524.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Burkina Faso's youth unemployment is projected to reach 6.00% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The youth unemployment of Burkina Faso in 2025 was 6.44%. This ranks 35th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_burkina-faso_youth-unemployment,
title = {Burkina Faso Youth Unemployment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/burkina-faso/youth-unemployment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}