Niger Youth Unemployment
Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) SL.UEM.1524.ZS
Niger's youth unemployment was 0.46% in 2025, ranked 1st globally. This represents a 16.9% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Niger's youth unemployment stood at 0.46% in 2025, a rise of +0.07pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.31% by 2026. Niger ranked 1st globally.
Niger’s youth unemployment rate has fallen dramatically over the past three and a half decades, slipping from 3.28 % in 1991 to a historic low of 0.39 % in 2024 before registering a marginal rise to 0.46 % in 2025, the lowest figure among all nations recorded by the World Bank. The all‑time peak of 6.18 % in 2005 marked a period of severe labor market stress, after which successive policy interventions and demographic shifts drove a sustained decline. Compared with peer countries that occupy similar positions in the global ranking, Niger’s rate is lower than Qatar’s 0.56 % and Cambodia’s 0.71 %, yet still exceeds Chad’s 1.46 % and Burundi’s 1.68 %, underscoring a relatively favorable but still vulnerable labour environment for young people. The continued downward trajectory suggests that, provided economic diversification and education initiatives are maintained, Niger could further compress youth unemployment and consolidate its position at the bottom of the global scale.
Data & projection
| Year | Youth Unemployment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 0.21% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 0.26% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 0.31% | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.46% | +0.07pp | #1 |
| 2024 | 0.39% | −0.01pp | #1 |
| 2023 | 0.40% | +0.00pp | #1 |
| 2022 | 0.40% | −0.32pp | #1 |
| 2021 | 0.72% | −0.03pp | #2 |
| 2020 | 0.74% | −0.01pp | #3 |
| 2019 | 0.75% | +0.01pp | #3 |
| 2018 | 0.74% | +0.01pp | #3 |
| 2017 | 0.73% | +0.02pp | #3 |
| 2016 | 0.72% | +0.01pp | #2 |
| 2015 | 0.70% | +0.03pp | #2 |
| 2014 | 0.67% | −1.65pp | #1 |
| 2013 | 2.33% | −1.53pp | #10 |
| 2012 | 3.85% | +3.39pp | #17 |
| 2011 | 0.47% | −0.74pp | #1 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Niger 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
Niger's youth unemployment was 0.46% in 2025. Ranked 1st globally. This represents a 16.9% increase from the previous year.
Niger's youth unemployment peaked at 6.18% in 2005.
The lowest youth unemployment in Niger was 0.39% in 2024.
Niger ranks 1st globally in youth unemployment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.1524.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Niger's youth unemployment is projected to reach 0.31% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The youth unemployment of Niger in 2025 was 0.46%. This ranks 1st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_niger_youth-unemployment,
title = {Niger Youth Unemployment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/niger/youth-unemployment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}