Netherlands Youth Unemployment
Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) SL.UEM.1524.ZS
Netherlands's youth unemployment was 8.83% in 2025, ranked 57th globally. This represents a 0.6% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Netherlands's youth unemployment stood at 8.83% in 2025, a rise of +0.05pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 8.61% by 2026. Netherlands ranked 57th globally.
Netherlands’ youth unemployment rate stood at 8.83 % in 2025, placing the country 57th in the World Bank’s global ranking and marginally above peer São Tomé and Principe (8.79 %) while remaining slightly below Hong Kong SAR, China (8.96 %). The indicator has traversed a 35‑year span, climbing from 10.81 % in 1991 to an all‑time peak of 12.94 % during the post‑global‑financial‑crisis slump of 2013, before falling to a trough of 4.33 % in 2001 amid a robust Dutch labour market. The post‑2008 recovery saw a gradual re‑acceleration, with the rate stabilising in the high‑single‑digit range over the past decade. Structural factors such as vocational training reforms and the integration of digital skills have moderated the upward pressure, yet persistent skill mismatches and demographic shifts could sustain the current level. Continued investment in targeted apprenticeship programmes and alignment with emerging sectors will be crucial to nudging the trend downward in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Youth Unemployment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 8.64% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 8.62% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 8.61% | - | - |
| 2025 | 8.83% | +0.05pp | #57 |
| 2024 | 8.78% | +0.51pp | #55 |
| 2023 | 8.27% | +0.63pp | #52 |
| 2022 | 7.65% | −1.69pp | #47 |
| 2021 | 9.34% | +0.46pp | #50 |
| 2020 | 8.88% | +2.27pp | #44 |
| 2019 | 6.61% | −0.44pp | #36 |
| 2018 | 7.05% | −1.67pp | #43 |
| 2017 | 8.72% | −1.92pp | #56 |
| 2016 | 10.64% | −0.46pp | #70 |
| 2015 | 11.10% | −1.43pp | #75 |
| 2014 | 12.53% | −0.41pp | #81 |
| 2013 | 12.94% | +1.49pp | #81 |
| 2012 | 11.45% | +1.68pp | #77 |
| 2011 | 9.78% | −0.99pp | #66 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Netherlands matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw youth unemployment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Netherlands's youth unemployment was 8.83% in 2025. Ranked 57th globally. This represents a 0.6% increase from the previous year.
Netherlands's youth unemployment peaked at 12.94% in 2013.
The lowest youth unemployment in Netherlands was 4.33% in 2001.
Netherlands ranks 57th globally in youth unemployment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.1524.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Netherlands's youth unemployment is projected to reach 8.61% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The youth unemployment of Netherlands in 2025 was 8.83%. This ranks 57th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_netherlands_youth-unemployment,
title = {Netherlands Youth Unemployment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/netherlands/youth-unemployment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}