Nigeria Youth Unemployment
Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) SL.UEM.1524.ZS
Nigeria's youth unemployment was 5.34% in 2025, ranked 28th globally. This represents a 5.0% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Nigeria's youth unemployment stood at 5.34% in 2025, a rise of +0.25pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 3.64% by 2026. Nigeria ranked 28th globally.
Nigeria’s youth unemployment rate has fallen sharply over the past three decades, moving from 7.43 % in 1991 to a trough of 5.09 % in 2024 before modestly rising to 5.34 % in 2025, placing the country 28th globally. The all‑time peak of 10.84 % in 2020 coincided with the pandemic‑induced contraction of informal labor markets, while the subsequent decline reflects expanding secondary education enrolment and targeted public‑private apprenticeship schemes. Compared with peer nations of similar rank, Nigeria’s 2025 figure is slightly above Madagascar’s 5.25 % and Bahrain’s 5.42 % but below Bolivia’s 5.01 % and Mexico’s 5.71 %, suggesting that regional policy differences are influencing outcomes. The sustained downward trajectory since the 2020 peak indicates that continued investment in vocational training and digital skills development could further reduce youth joblessness, provided macro‑economic stability and private‑sector growth are maintained.
Data & projection
| Year | Youth Unemployment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 2.00% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 2.82% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 3.64% | - | - |
| 2025 | 5.34% | +0.25pp | #28 |
| 2024 | 5.09% | −0.04pp | #26 |
| 2023 | 5.13% | −0.89pp | #28 |
| 2022 | 6.02% | −2.97pp | #28 |
| 2021 | 8.99% | −1.85pp | #45 |
| 2020 | 10.84% | +0.42pp | #58 |
| 2019 | 10.42% | +0.28pp | #76 |
| 2018 | 10.14% | +0.43pp | #75 |
| 2017 | 9.71% | +0.61pp | #65 |
| 2016 | 9.10% | +0.64pp | #55 |
| 2015 | 8.46% | +0.41pp | #46 |
| 2014 | 8.04% | +0.33pp | #45 |
| 2013 | 7.71% | −0.15pp | #44 |
| 2012 | 7.86% | −0.04pp | #43 |
| 2011 | 7.90% | +0.04pp | #42 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Nigeria matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw youth unemployment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Nigeria's youth unemployment was 5.34% in 2025. Ranked 28th globally. This represents a 5.0% increase from the previous year.
Nigeria's youth unemployment peaked at 10.84% in 2020.
The lowest youth unemployment in Nigeria was 5.09% in 2024.
Nigeria ranks 28th globally in youth unemployment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.1524.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Nigeria's youth unemployment is projected to reach 3.64% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The youth unemployment of Nigeria in 2025 was 5.34%. This ranks 28th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_nigeria_youth-unemployment,
title = {Nigeria Youth Unemployment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/nigeria/youth-unemployment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}