Costa Rica Youth Unemployment
Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) SL.UEM.1524.ZS
Costa Rica's youth unemployment was 19.95% in 2025, ranked 134th globally. This represents a 2.6% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Costa Rica's youth unemployment stood at 19.95% in 2025, a decline of +0.53pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 12.31% by 2026. Costa Rica ranked 134th globally.
Costa Rica's youth unemployment rate has experienced significant fluctuations over the past three and a half decades, with the World Bank data indicating a wide range of 7.63% in 1992 to 40.11% in 2020. The latter figure represents a particularly challenging period for Costa Rica's youth labor market, coinciding with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the rate has gradually decreased, standing at 19.95% in 2025, ranking 134 globally. Comparatively, neighboring Panama's youth unemployment rate stands at 19.77%, while Portugal, a peer country, reports a higher rate of 20.22%. Despite the recent decline, Costa Rica's youth unemployment rate remains a concern, and continued economic diversification and investment in education and training are necessary to improve the prospects for its young workforce. A more robust recovery in the tourism sector, a significant contributor to Costa Rica's economy, would help alleviate the current unemployment pressures.
Data & projection
| Year | Youth Unemployment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 2.56% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 7.44% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 12.31% | - | - |
| 2025 | 19.95% | −0.53pp | #134 |
| 2024 | 20.48% | −3.83pp | #136 |
| 2023 | 24.31% | −6.41pp | #150 |
| 2022 | 30.72% | −8.48pp | #161 |
| 2021 | 39.20% | −0.91pp | #174 |
| 2020 | 40.11% | +8.92pp | #172 |
| 2019 | 31.19% | +6.12pp | #160 |
| 2018 | 25.07% | +4.34pp | #144 |
| 2017 | 20.74% | −0.91pp | #128 |
| 2016 | 21.65% | −0.71pp | #126 |
| 2015 | 22.36% | −1.87pp | #132 |
| 2014 | 24.23% | +2.67pp | #135 |
| 2013 | 21.56% | −0.81pp | #122 |
| 2012 | 22.37% | +0.34pp | #125 |
| 2011 | 22.04% | +4.66pp | #126 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Costa Rica matched the Orthodox Tightening Cycle pattern in 1995. Historically, 57% of countries showing this pattern (177 out of 311) saw youth unemployment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Costa Rica's youth unemployment was 19.95% in 2025. Ranked 134th globally. This represents a 2.6% decrease from the previous year.
Costa Rica's youth unemployment peaked at 40.11% in 2020.
The lowest youth unemployment in Costa Rica was 7.63% in 1992.
Costa Rica ranks 134th globally in youth unemployment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.1524.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Costa Rica's youth unemployment is projected to reach 12.31% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The youth unemployment of Costa Rica in 2025 was 19.95%. This ranks 134th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_costa-rica_youth-unemployment,
title = {Costa Rica Youth Unemployment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/costa-rica/youth-unemployment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}