Maldives Youth Unemployment
Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) SL.UEM.1524.ZS
Maldives's youth unemployment was 15.69% in 2025, ranked 110th globally. This represents a 6.0% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Maldives's youth unemployment stood at 15.69% in 2025, a rise of +0.89pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 15.23% by 2026. Maldives ranked 110th globally.
Maldives’ youth unemployment rate has risen sharply from a trough of 1.77 % in 1991 to an all‑time peak of 24.66 % in 2009, before easing to 15.69 % in 2025, placing the nation at 110th globally. The 2025 figure is marginally higher than Kenya’s 15.25 % and Zimbabwe’s 15.55 %, and closely matches Equatorial Guinea’s 15.74 % and China’s 15.79 % among peers with similar rankings. Over the 35‑year coverage period, the Maldives experienced a more than thirteen‑fold increase in youth joblessness, reflecting structural shifts in its tourism‑driven economy and periodic external shocks that amplified labor market volatility. While the post‑peak decline suggests some absorption of young workers, the persistence of a rate above 15 % indicates that without targeted vocational training, diversification of the private sector, and improved labor market information, the downward trajectory may stall or reverse in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Youth Unemployment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 15.49% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 15.36% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 15.23% | - | - |
| 2025 | 15.69% | +0.89pp | #110 |
| 2024 | 14.81% | +0.68pp | #104 |
| 2023 | 14.12% | −0.15pp | #103 |
| 2022 | 14.27% | −1.05pp | #100 |
| 2021 | 15.32% | −0.83pp | #96 |
| 2020 | 16.15% | +2.65pp | #101 |
| 2019 | 13.50% | −0.53pp | #98 |
| 2018 | 14.02% | −0.57pp | #98 |
| 2017 | 14.59% | −0.54pp | #100 |
| 2016 | 15.13% | −1.71pp | #98 |
| 2015 | 16.83% | −1.54pp | #108 |
| 2014 | 18.37% | −1.26pp | #111 |
| 2013 | 19.64% | −1.18pp | #118 |
| 2012 | 20.82% | −1.30pp | #122 |
| 2011 | 22.11% | −1.23pp | #128 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Maldives matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2011. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw youth unemployment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Maldives's youth unemployment was 15.69% in 2025. Ranked 110th globally. This represents a 6.0% increase from the previous year.
Maldives's youth unemployment peaked at 24.66% in 2009.
The lowest youth unemployment in Maldives was 1.77% in 1991.
Maldives ranks 110th globally in youth unemployment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.1524.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Maldives's youth unemployment is projected to reach 15.23% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The youth unemployment of Maldives in 2025 was 15.69%. This ranks 110th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_maldives_youth-unemployment,
title = {Maldives Youth Unemployment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/maldives/youth-unemployment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}