Mali Youth Unemployment
Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) SL.UEM.1524.ZS
Mali's youth unemployment was 3.88% in 2025, ranked 18th globally. This represents a 0.9% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Mali's youth unemployment stood at 3.88% in 2025, a rise of +0.04pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 3.70% by 2026. Mali ranked 18th globally.
Mali’s youth unemployment rate has risen modestly over the 35‑year series, moving from a low of 2.19 % in 1991 to a peak of 6.73 % in 2020 before easing to 3.88 % in 2025, placing the country 18th globally. The trough in 2003, at 2.02 %, marked the most favorable labor market conditions for young workers, but a combination of demographic pressure and limited formal‑sector growth drove the subsequent climb. By 2025 Mali’s rate is slightly below that of Kazakhstan (3.81 %) and Japan (3.90 %), yet above Papua New Guinea (3.79 %) and close to Côte d’Ivoire (4.01 %). The recent decline from the 2020 high suggests that policy measures aimed at vocational training and small‑enterprise support are beginning to bear fruit, but sustaining a downward trajectory will depend on continued investment in education, infrastructure and private‑sector job creation.
Data & projection
| Year | Youth Unemployment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 3.61% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 3.65% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 3.70% | - | - |
| 2025 | 3.88% | +0.04pp | #18 |
| 2024 | 3.84% | −0.02pp | #17 |
| 2023 | 3.86% | +0.66pp | #18 |
| 2022 | 3.21% | −1.23pp | #13 |
| 2021 | 4.43% | −2.30pp | #18 |
| 2020 | 6.73% | +2.06pp | #29 |
| 2019 | 4.67% | +2.33pp | #25 |
| 2018 | 2.34% | +0.10pp | #9 |
| 2017 | 2.23% | +0.10pp | #7 |
| 2016 | 2.13% | −0.04pp | #7 |
| 2015 | 2.17% | −0.07pp | #8 |
| 2014 | 2.24% | −0.04pp | #8 |
| 2013 | 2.28% | +0.05pp | #9 |
| 2012 | 2.23% | +0.05pp | #7 |
| 2011 | 2.18% | +0.03pp | #8 |
Analysis
Mali's youth unemployment was 3.88% in 2025, a rise of +0.04pp from 2024. Based on trends, estimated 3.70% by 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mali's youth unemployment was 3.88% in 2025. Ranked 18th globally. This represents a 0.9% increase from the previous year.
Mali's youth unemployment peaked at 6.73% in 2020.
The lowest youth unemployment in Mali was 2.02% in 2003.
Mali ranks 18th globally in youth unemployment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.1524.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Mali's youth unemployment is projected to reach 3.70% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The youth unemployment of Mali in 2025 was 3.88%. This ranks 18th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_mali_youth-unemployment,
title = {Mali Youth Unemployment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/mali/youth-unemployment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}