Cuba Youth Unemployment
Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) SL.UEM.1524.ZS
Cuba's youth unemployment was 4.28% in 2025, ranked 23rd globally. This represents a 0.1% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Cuba's youth unemployment stood at 4.28% in 2025, a decline of +0.01pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 4.01% by 2026. Cuba ranked 23rd globally.
Cuba’s youth unemployment rate has fallen sharply from a post‑Soviet peak of 15.96 % in 1993 to an all‑time trough of 3.40 % in 2008, and the latest World Bank estimate for 2025 shows it at 4.28 % (ranked 23rd globally). This decline reflects the gradual diversification of the Cuban economy and modest reforms that have expanded informal and state‑linked employment opportunities for young workers. Over the 35‑year series, the rate remains modestly higher than that of peer economies such as Moldova (4.20 %) and Uganda (4.18 %), yet lower than Thailand (4.53 %) and Guatemala (4.76 %). The persistence of a sub‑5 % youth unemployment level suggests that continued investment in vocational training and the gradual liberalisation of private sector activity could sustain the downward trajectory, while any reversal of reforms or external shocks could halt progress.
Data & projection
| Year | Youth Unemployment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 3.75% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 3.88% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 4.01% | - | - |
| 2025 | 4.28% | −0.01pp | #23 |
| 2024 | 4.28% | +0.04pp | #22 |
| 2023 | 4.25% | −0.09pp | #23 |
| 2022 | 4.34% | −0.57pp | #22 |
| 2021 | 4.91% | −0.26pp | #23 |
| 2020 | 5.17% | +0.92pp | #22 |
| 2019 | 4.25% | +0.01pp | #21 |
| 2018 | 4.24% | −0.05pp | #20 |
| 2017 | 4.29% | −0.67pp | #17 |
| 2016 | 4.96% | −1.00pp | #21 |
| 2015 | 5.97% | −0.63pp | #29 |
| 2014 | 6.60% | −1.47pp | #34 |
| 2013 | 8.07% | −0.38pp | #46 |
| 2012 | 8.45% | +0.78pp | #53 |
| 2011 | 7.66% | +1.64pp | #40 |
Analysis
Cuba's youth unemployment was 4.28% in 2025, a decline of −0.01pp from 2024. Based on trends, estimated 4.01% by 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cuba's youth unemployment was 4.28% in 2025. Ranked 23rd globally. This represents a 0.1% decrease from the previous year.
Cuba's youth unemployment peaked at 15.96% in 1993.
The lowest youth unemployment in Cuba was 3.40% in 2008.
Cuba ranks 23rd globally in youth unemployment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.1524.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Cuba's youth unemployment is projected to reach 4.01% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The youth unemployment of Cuba in 2025 was 4.28%. This ranks 23rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_cuba_youth-unemployment,
title = {Cuba Youth Unemployment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/cuba/youth-unemployment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}