Liberia Youth Unemployment
Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) SL.UEM.1524.ZS
Liberia's youth unemployment was 2.30% in 2025, ranked 6th globally. This represents a 3.6% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Liberia's youth unemployment stood at 2.30% in 2025, a rise of +0.08pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 2.04% by 2026. Liberia ranked 6th globally.
Liberia’s youth unemployment rate has fallen sharply over the past three and a half decades, declining from an all‑time peak of 3.47 % in 1991 to a trough of 1.55 % in 2014 before rising slightly to 2.30 % in 2025, a level that places the country sixth highest globally according to World Bank data. The downward trajectory after the early‑1990s reflects gradual improvements in secondary education access and modest expansion of informal sector jobs, although the post‑2014 increase suggests that recent macro‑economic shocks and limited formal employment opportunities are constraining further gains. Liberia’s 2025 figure remains above the rates recorded in peer countries such as Burundi (1.68 %) and Tanzania (2.38 %), indicating that the labour market for young people is still less resilient than in those neighbours. Continued investment in vocational training and diversification of the economy will be crucial if Liberia is to sustain the decline and move closer to the lower unemployment levels observed in its peers.
Data & projection
| Year | Youth Unemployment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 1.83% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 1.93% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 2.04% | - | - |
| 2025 | 2.30% | +0.08pp | #6 |
| 2024 | 2.22% | +0.00pp | #7 |
| 2023 | 2.22% | −0.02pp | #7 |
| 2022 | 2.23% | −0.59pp | #7 |
| 2021 | 2.82% | −0.09pp | #9 |
| 2020 | 2.91% | +0.61pp | #9 |
| 2019 | 2.30% | +0.00pp | #10 |
| 2018 | 2.30% | −0.00pp | #8 |
| 2017 | 2.30% | −0.00pp | #8 |
| 2016 | 2.31% | +0.38pp | #8 |
| 2015 | 1.92% | +0.37pp | #7 |
| 2014 | 1.55% | −0.40pp | #6 |
| 2013 | 1.95% | −0.41pp | #8 |
| 2012 | 2.37% | −0.40pp | #8 |
| 2011 | 2.77% | −0.38pp | #11 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Liberia matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2008. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw youth unemployment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Liberia's youth unemployment was 2.30% in 2025. Ranked 6th globally. This represents a 3.6% increase from the previous year.
Liberia's youth unemployment peaked at 3.47% in 1991.
The lowest youth unemployment in Liberia was 1.55% in 2014.
Liberia ranks 6th globally in youth unemployment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.1524.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Liberia's youth unemployment is projected to reach 2.04% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The youth unemployment of Liberia in 2025 was 2.30%. This ranks 6th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_liberia_youth-unemployment,
title = {Liberia Youth Unemployment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/liberia/youth-unemployment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}