Nepal Youth Unemployment
Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) SL.UEM.1524.ZS
Nepal's youth unemployment was 20.56% in 2025, ranked 138th globally. This represents a 0.4% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Nepal's youth unemployment stood at 20.56% in 2025, a decline of +0.08pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 19.74% by 2026. Nepal ranked 138th globally.
Youth unemployment in Nepal has risen modestly since the early 1990s, moving from 18.82 % in 1991 to a latest 2025 rate of 20.56 % (World Bank), placing the country 138th globally. The indicator peaked at 24.07 % in 2020, a sharp increase that reflected pandemic‑related labor market disruptions, before easing to the current level, which remains slightly above the 1994 trough of 18.78 %. Nepal’s current rate is comparable to Italy’s 20.55 % and Serbia’s 20.93 %, underscoring a regional convergence among economies with similar structural challenges. The gradual upward trajectory since the early 1990s suggests persistent obstacles in transitioning young workers into formal employment, while the post‑2020 decline hints at a tentative recovery. Continued investment in vocational training, digital skills, and private‑sector job creation will be crucial to reverse the modest upward trend and bring Nepal’s youth unemployment closer to regional averages.
Data & projection
| Year | Youth Unemployment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 18.91% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 19.32% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 19.74% | - | - |
| 2025 | 20.56% | −0.08pp | #138 |
| 2024 | 20.64% | +0.21pp | #137 |
| 2023 | 20.43% | −0.18pp | #137 |
| 2022 | 20.61% | −2.03pp | #133 |
| 2021 | 22.64% | −1.43pp | #134 |
| 2020 | 24.07% | +4.39pp | #132 |
| 2019 | 19.68% | +0.07pp | #128 |
| 2018 | 19.60% | +0.03pp | #125 |
| 2017 | 19.57% | +0.02pp | #123 |
| 2016 | 19.55% | +0.15pp | #117 |
| 2015 | 19.40% | +0.05pp | #118 |
| 2014 | 19.35% | −0.03pp | #115 |
| 2013 | 19.38% | +0.07pp | #116 |
| 2012 | 19.31% | +0.01pp | #113 |
| 2011 | 19.29% | +0.09pp | #116 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Nepal matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2016. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw youth unemployment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Nepal's youth unemployment was 20.56% in 2025. Ranked 138th globally. This represents a 0.4% decrease from the previous year.
Nepal's youth unemployment peaked at 24.07% in 2020.
The lowest youth unemployment in Nepal was 18.78% in 1994.
Nepal ranks 138th globally in youth unemployment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.1524.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Nepal's youth unemployment is projected to reach 19.74% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The youth unemployment of Nepal in 2025 was 20.56%. This ranks 138th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_nepal_youth-unemployment,
title = {Nepal Youth Unemployment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/nepal/youth-unemployment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}