Canada Youth Unemployment
Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) SL.UEM.1524.ZS
Canada's youth unemployment was 13.80% in 2025, ranked 96th globally. This represents a 3.9% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Canada's youth unemployment stood at 13.80% in 2025, a rise of +0.52pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 13.41% by 2026. Canada ranked 96th globally.
Canada's youth unemployment rate has exhibited significant fluctuations over the past 35 years, with a notable peak of 20.12% in 2020 and a trough of 10.08% in 2022. The latest available figure, at 13.80% in 2025, ranks Canada 96th globally. A comparison with peer countries reveals that Lithuania's youth unemployment rate, at 13.76%, is only slightly lower. The all-time peak in 2020 may be attributed to the economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Conversely, the all-time trough in 2022 suggests a swift recovery in the labor market. Despite this, Canada's youth unemployment rate remains a concern, particularly given its relatively high ranking globally. A sustained economic expansion, potentially driven by investments in education and job training programs, could help alter the trajectory of Canada's youth unemployment rate and bring it closer to the levels of more prosperous economies, such as Norway, which has a youth unemployment rate of 13.42%.
Data & projection
| Year | Youth Unemployment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 14.14% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 13.78% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 13.41% | - | - |
| 2025 | 13.80% | +0.52pp | #96 |
| 2024 | 13.28% | +2.47pp | #94 |
| 2023 | 10.81% | +0.72pp | #77 |
| 2022 | 10.08% | −3.48pp | #67 |
| 2021 | 13.56% | −6.57pp | #87 |
| 2020 | 20.13% | +9.38pp | #120 |
| 2019 | 10.74% | +0.04pp | #79 |
| 2018 | 10.71% | −0.53pp | #80 |
| 2017 | 11.24% | −1.36pp | #78 |
| 2016 | 12.60% | −0.16pp | #84 |
| 2015 | 12.76% | −0.44pp | #85 |
| 2014 | 13.20% | −0.04pp | #82 |
| 2013 | 13.24% | −0.79pp | #82 |
| 2012 | 14.04% | +0.12pp | #86 |
| 2011 | 13.92% | −0.66pp | #84 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Canada matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2007. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw youth unemployment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Canada's youth unemployment was 13.80% in 2025. Ranked 96th globally. This represents a 3.9% increase from the previous year.
Canada's youth unemployment peaked at 20.13% in 2020.
The lowest youth unemployment in Canada was 10.08% in 2022.
Canada ranks 96th globally in youth unemployment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.1524.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Canada's youth unemployment is projected to reach 13.41% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The youth unemployment of Canada in 2025 was 13.80%. This ranks 96th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_canada_youth-unemployment,
title = {Canada Youth Unemployment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/canada/youth-unemployment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}