Equatorial Guinea Youth Unemployment
Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) SL.UEM.1524.ZS
Equatorial Guinea's youth unemployment was 15.74% in 2025, ranked 111th globally. This represents a 1.2% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Equatorial Guinea's youth unemployment stood at 15.74% in 2025, a rise of +0.18pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 15.09% by 2026. Equatorial Guinea ranked 111th globally.
Equatorial Guinea’s youth unemployment rate stood at 15.74 % in 2025, placing the country 111th in the global ranking. The indicator has risen modestly from its earliest recorded level of 13.56 % in 1991, a trough that persisted for nearly a decade before the rate began to climb, reaching an all‑time peak of 17.39 % in 2020 amid the COVID‑19 shock to regional labor markets. Over the 35‑year coverage period the trend has been upward, reflecting limited diversification of the economy and a persistent mismatch between the skills of young job‑seekers and the demand for low‑skill positions. By comparison, peers such as the Maldives (15.69 % in 2025) and China (15.79 %) exhibit similar levels, suggesting that the challenge is not unique to Equatorial Guinea but common among emerging economies with rapidly growing youth cohorts. Continued investment in vocational training and the expansion of non‑oil sectors will be crucial to reverse the upward trajectory and bring the rate below the current level.
Data & projection
| Year | Youth Unemployment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 14.54% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 14.81% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 15.09% | - | - |
| 2025 | 15.74% | +0.18pp | #111 |
| 2024 | 15.56% | +0.10pp | #111 |
| 2023 | 15.46% | −0.35pp | #110 |
| 2022 | 15.81% | −1.17pp | #110 |
| 2021 | 16.98% | −0.42pp | #110 |
| 2020 | 17.39% | +2.17pp | #106 |
| 2019 | 15.22% | +0.08pp | #104 |
| 2018 | 15.14% | −0.25pp | #105 |
| 2017 | 15.39% | +0.01pp | #105 |
| 2016 | 15.38% | −0.03pp | #101 |
| 2015 | 15.40% | +0.19pp | #97 |
| 2014 | 15.21% | −0.04pp | #95 |
| 2013 | 15.25% | −0.17pp | #90 |
| 2012 | 15.43% | −0.14pp | #91 |
| 2011 | 15.56% | −0.04pp | #93 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Equatorial Guinea matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2022. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw youth unemployment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Equatorial Guinea's youth unemployment was 15.74% in 2025. Ranked 111th globally. This represents a 1.2% increase from the previous year.
Equatorial Guinea's youth unemployment peaked at 17.39% in 2020.
The lowest youth unemployment in Equatorial Guinea was 13.56% in 1991.
Equatorial Guinea ranks 111th globally in youth unemployment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.1524.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Equatorial Guinea's youth unemployment is projected to reach 15.09% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The youth unemployment of Equatorial Guinea in 2025 was 15.74%. This ranks 111th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_equatorial-guinea_youth-unemployment,
title = {Equatorial Guinea Youth Unemployment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/equatorial-guinea/youth-unemployment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}