Iran, Islamic Republic of Youth Unemployment
Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) SL.UEM.1524.ZS
Iran, Islamic Republic of's youth unemployment was 21.90% in 2025, ranked 145th globally. This represents a 2.8% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Iran, Islamic Republic of's youth unemployment stood at 21.90% in 2025, a rise of +0.59pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 20.66% by 2026. Iran, Islamic Republic of ranked 145th globally.
Iran's youth unemployment rate has experienced significant fluctuations over the past 35 years, with a notable all-time high of 29.09% in 2016 and an all-time low of 18.55% in 1996. The youth unemployment rate in Iran currently stands at 21.90%, ranking it 145 globally. During the same period, Morocco's youth unemployment rate has remained relatively close, with a current rate of 21.88%. While the country's economy has shown signs of resilience, the recent trend suggests a stabilization in the youth unemployment rate, which may be attributed to various government initiatives aimed at job creation and skill development. However, a decline in global oil prices and the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic could potentially disrupt this trend, necessitating further policy adjustments to mitigate the effects on Iran's youth labor market.
Data & projection
| Year | Youth Unemployment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 19.64% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 20.15% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 20.66% | - | - |
| 2025 | 21.90% | +0.59pp | #145 |
| 2024 | 21.31% | +0.04pp | #140 |
| 2023 | 21.27% | −1.42pp | #139 |
| 2022 | 22.69% | −1.07pp | #141 |
| 2021 | 23.75% | +0.04pp | #138 |
| 2020 | 23.71% | −2.24pp | #129 |
| 2019 | 25.95% | −1.55pp | #149 |
| 2018 | 27.50% | −0.71pp | #151 |
| 2017 | 28.21% | −0.88pp | #150 |
| 2016 | 29.09% | +3.13pp | #153 |
| 2015 | 25.96% | +0.99pp | #146 |
| 2014 | 24.97% | +1.10pp | #142 |
| 2013 | 23.87% | −3.02pp | #133 |
| 2012 | 26.89% | +0.25pp | #142 |
| 2011 | 26.65% | −2.06pp | #147 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Iran, Islamic Republic of matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2019. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw youth unemployment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Iran, Islamic Republic of's youth unemployment was 21.90% in 2025. Ranked 145th globally. This represents a 2.8% increase from the previous year.
Iran, Islamic Republic of's youth unemployment peaked at 29.09% in 2016.
The lowest youth unemployment in Iran, Islamic Republic of was 18.55% in 1996.
Iran, Islamic Republic of ranks 145th globally in youth unemployment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.1524.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Iran, Islamic Republic of's youth unemployment is projected to reach 20.66% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The youth unemployment of Iran, Islamic Republic of in 2025 was 21.90%. This ranks 145th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_iran-islamic-republic-of_youth-unemployment,
title = {Iran, Islamic Republic of Youth Unemployment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/iran-islamic-republic-of/youth-unemployment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}