Estonia Youth Unemployment
Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) SL.UEM.1524.ZS
Estonia's youth unemployment was 19.70% in 2025, ranked 132nd globally. This represents a 2.3% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Estonia's youth unemployment stood at 19.70% in 2025, a rise of +0.44pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 20.34% by 2026. Estonia ranked 132nd globally.
Estonia’s youth unemployment rate stood at 19.70 % in 2025, placing the country 132nd in the global ranking and closely aligning with peers such as Panama (19.77 %) and Belize (19.32 %). The indicator has traversed a 35‑year span, rising from a post‑independence low of 3.40 % in 1991 to an all‑time peak of 32.94 % during the global financial crisis in 2010, before gradually receding to its current level. The sharp increase in the early 2010s reflected the contraction of domestic demand and limited job creation for recent graduates, while subsequent reforms in vocational training and active labour‑market policies have helped to moderate the ascent. Nevertheless, the 2025 figure remains markedly higher than the early‑1990s trough, indicating persistent structural challenges in integrating young workers. Continued investment in digital skills and stronger links between education institutions and emerging tech sectors could further lower youth unemployment and shift the trajectory downward in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Youth Unemployment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 21.74% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 21.04% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 20.34% | - | - |
| 2025 | 19.70% | +0.44pp | #132 |
| 2024 | 19.26% | +2.05pp | #132 |
| 2023 | 17.21% | −1.19pp | #120 |
| 2022 | 18.39% | +1.77pp | #123 |
| 2021 | 16.62% | −1.80pp | #107 |
| 2020 | 18.42% | +6.79pp | #109 |
| 2019 | 11.62% | −0.45pp | #88 |
| 2018 | 12.08% | −0.10pp | #92 |
| 2017 | 12.18% | −1.95pp | #84 |
| 2016 | 14.13% | −0.22pp | #93 |
| 2015 | 14.34% | −0.63pp | #93 |
| 2014 | 14.98% | −3.73pp | #94 |
| 2013 | 18.70% | −2.16pp | #109 |
| 2012 | 20.86% | −1.52pp | #123 |
| 2011 | 22.39% | −10.55pp | #129 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Estonia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2019. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw youth unemployment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Estonia's youth unemployment was 19.70% in 2025. Ranked 132nd globally. This represents a 2.3% increase from the previous year.
Estonia's youth unemployment peaked at 32.94% in 2010.
The lowest youth unemployment in Estonia was 3.40% in 1991.
Estonia ranks 132nd globally in youth unemployment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.1524.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Estonia's youth unemployment is projected to reach 20.34% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The youth unemployment of Estonia in 2025 was 19.70%. This ranks 132nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_estonia_youth-unemployment,
title = {Estonia Youth Unemployment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/estonia/youth-unemployment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}