European Union Youth Unemployment
Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) SL.UEM.1524.ZS
European Union's youth unemployment was 16.20% in 2025, ranked 115th globally. This represents a 0.2% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
European Union's youth unemployment stood at 16.20% in 2025, a decline of +0.04pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 15.20% by 2026. European Union ranked 115th globally.
Youth unemployment in the European Union has fallen markedly over the past three and a half decades, descending from a high of 19.11 % in 1991 to an all‑time trough of 16.20 % in 2025, the lowest level recorded in the 35‑year series. The indicator peaked at 26.94 % during the post‑global‑financial‑crisis fallout in 2013, reflecting the depth of the sovereign‑debt and structural reforms that followed. By 2025 the EU ranked 115th globally, marginally above Türkiye (16.04 %) and India (16.02 %) among the closest peers, suggesting that the bloc’s labour market has narrowed the gap with emerging economies that have similarly reduced youth joblessness. The sustained decline is attributed to active employment schemes, vocational training expansions and a gradual recovery in demand across member states. Continued improvement will depend on the resilience of growth, the effectiveness of digital‑skill initiatives and the ability of policy to absorb demographic shifts, which could either reinforce the downward trajectory or stall progress.
Data & projection
| Year | Youth Unemployment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 14.16% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 14.68% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 15.20% | - | - |
| 2025 | 16.20% | −0.04pp | #115 |
| 2024 | 16.24% | +0.01pp | #114 |
| 2023 | 16.23% | −0.13pp | #116 |
| 2022 | 16.36% | −2.37pp | #113 |
| 2021 | 18.74% | −0.28pp | #119 |
| 2020 | 19.01% | +2.04pp | #112 |
| 2019 | 16.98% | −1.14pp | #117 |
| 2018 | 18.12% | −1.97pp | #120 |
| 2017 | 20.09% | −2.32pp | #126 |
| 2016 | 22.41% | −1.81pp | #131 |
| 2015 | 24.22% | −1.74pp | #137 |
| 2014 | 25.96% | −0.98pp | #144 |
| 2013 | 26.94% | +0.99pp | #143 |
| 2012 | 25.95% | +2.22pp | #139 |
| 2011 | 23.73% | +0.80pp | #140 |
Analysis
European Union's youth unemployment was 16.20% in 2025, a decline of −0.04pp from 2024. Based on trends, estimated 15.20% by 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
European Union's youth unemployment was 16.20% in 2025. Ranked 115th globally. This represents a 0.2% decrease from the previous year.
European Union's youth unemployment peaked at 26.94% in 2013.
The lowest youth unemployment in European Union was 16.20% in 2025.
European Union ranks 115th globally in youth unemployment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.1524.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
European Union's youth unemployment is projected to reach 15.20% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The youth unemployment of European Union in 2025 was 16.20%. This ranks 115th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_european-union_youth-unemployment,
title = {European Union Youth Unemployment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/european-union/youth-unemployment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}