Cabo Verde Youth Unemployment
Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) SL.UEM.1524.ZS
Cabo Verde's youth unemployment was 28.42% in 2025, ranked 160th globally. This represents a 1.1% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Cabo Verde's youth unemployment stood at 28.42% in 2025, a rise of +0.31pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 26.86% by 2026. Cabo Verde ranked 160th globally.
Cabo Verde’s youth unemployment rate stood at 28.41 % in 2025, placing the country 160th in the global ranking and closely matching Bosnia and Herzegovina’s 28.20 % and North Macedonia’s 28.75 % (World Bank). The indicator has fluctuated over a 35‑year span, rising from an early level of 22.25 % in 1991 to a historic peak of 34.47 % during the pandemic‑related downturn of 2020, before falling to a trough of 21.32 % in 2010. The post‑2010 decline reflected modest economic diversification and targeted training schemes, yet the resurgence after 2020 indicates vulnerability to external shocks and limited absorption capacity for new entrants into the labour market. Despite recent stabilization, the 2025 figure remains well above the 2010 low, suggesting that without further investment in sectoral growth and vocational education, the upward pressure on youth unemployment may persist, while effective policy interventions could reverse the trend.
Data & projection
| Year | Youth Unemployment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 25.46% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 26.16% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 26.86% | - | - |
| 2025 | 28.42% | +0.31pp | #160 |
| 2024 | 28.10% | +0.05pp | #160 |
| 2023 | 28.05% | −0.61pp | #160 |
| 2022 | 28.65% | −3.01pp | #157 |
| 2021 | 31.66% | −2.82pp | #158 |
| 2020 | 34.47% | +6.37pp | #161 |
| 2019 | 28.11% | +0.53pp | #155 |
| 2018 | 27.58% | −4.31pp | #152 |
| 2017 | 31.89% | +1.71pp | #158 |
| 2016 | 30.18% | +1.62pp | #154 |
| 2015 | 28.57% | +1.64pp | #150 |
| 2014 | 26.93% | +1.63pp | #148 |
| 2013 | 25.30% | +1.45pp | #138 |
| 2012 | 23.85% | +1.23pp | #134 |
| 2011 | 22.62% | +1.30pp | #130 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Cabo Verde matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 1991. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw youth unemployment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Cabo Verde's youth unemployment was 28.42% in 2025. Ranked 160th globally. This represents a 1.1% increase from the previous year.
Cabo Verde's youth unemployment peaked at 34.47% in 2020.
The lowest youth unemployment in Cabo Verde was 21.32% in 2010.
Cabo Verde ranks 160th globally in youth unemployment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.1524.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Cabo Verde's youth unemployment is projected to reach 26.86% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The youth unemployment of Cabo Verde in 2025 was 28.42%. This ranks 160th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_cabo-verde_youth-unemployment,
title = {Cabo Verde Youth Unemployment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/cabo-verde/youth-unemployment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}