Croatia Youth Unemployment
Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) SL.UEM.1524.ZS
Croatia's youth unemployment was 16.47% in 2025, ranked 117th globally. This represents a 0.0% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Croatia's youth unemployment stood at 16.47% in 2025, a decline of +0.00pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 14.81% by 2026. Croatia ranked 117th globally.
Croatia’s youth unemployment rate has fallen dramatically over the past three and a half decades, descending from a post‑war high of 40.27 % in 1991 to a historic low of 16.47 % in 2025, the lowest figure recorded in the series and ranking the country 117th globally. The sharpest deterioration occurred in 2013, when the rate peaked at 50.49 %, reflecting the lingering effects of the global financial crisis and domestic fiscal tightening. Since then, structural reforms, expanded vocational training and the integration of young workers into the EU labour market have driven a sustained decline, bringing Croatia’s 2025 level close to that of Rwanda (16.41 %) and the European Union average (16.20 %). Continued investment in digital skills and the alignment of education with emerging industries will be crucial to maintain this downward trajectory and further narrow the gap with the EU benchmark.
Data & projection
| Year | Youth Unemployment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 12.53% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 13.67% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 14.81% | - | - |
| 2025 | 16.47% | −0.00pp | #117 |
| 2024 | 16.48% | −2.43pp | #116 |
| 2023 | 18.91% | +1.17pp | #133 |
| 2022 | 17.74% | −3.80pp | #119 |
| 2021 | 21.54% | +0.87pp | #129 |
| 2020 | 20.67% | +3.96pp | #122 |
| 2019 | 16.71% | −6.80pp | #114 |
| 2018 | 23.51% | −3.92pp | #137 |
| 2017 | 27.43% | −3.52pp | #149 |
| 2016 | 30.95% | −11.36pp | #155 |
| 2015 | 42.31% | −3.39pp | #176 |
| 2014 | 45.70% | −4.79pp | #176 |
| 2013 | 50.49% | +7.98pp | #179 |
| 2012 | 42.51% | +5.85pp | #175 |
| 2011 | 36.67% | +4.31pp | #168 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Croatia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw youth unemployment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Croatia's youth unemployment was 16.47% in 2025. Ranked 117th globally. This represents a 0.0% decrease from the previous year.
Croatia's youth unemployment peaked at 50.49% in 2013.
The lowest youth unemployment in Croatia was 16.47% in 2025.
Croatia ranks 117th globally in youth unemployment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.1524.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Croatia's youth unemployment is projected to reach 14.81% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The youth unemployment of Croatia in 2025 was 16.47%. This ranks 117th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_croatia_youth-unemployment,
title = {Croatia Youth Unemployment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/croatia/youth-unemployment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}