Papua New Guinea Youth Unemployment
Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) SL.UEM.1524.ZS
Papua New Guinea's youth unemployment was 3.79% in 2025, ranked 16th globally. This represents a 0.1% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Papua New Guinea's youth unemployment stood at 3.79% in 2025, a rise of +0.00pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 3.56% by 2026. Papua New Guinea ranked 16th globally.
Papua New Guinea's youth unemployment rate has experienced fluctuations over the past three and a half decades, ranging from a high of 5.33% in 1999 to a low of 3.57% in 2010. The country's current youth unemployment rate stands at 3.79%, ranking it sixteenth globally. Notably, this rate is comparable to its peer countries, including Timor-Leste and Sierra Leone, which also have rates of 3.72%. The country's youth unemployment rate peaked in 1999 and has generally trended downwards since then, albeit with some fluctuations. The all-time trough of 3.57% in 2010 indicates a period of relative economic stability and growth in the youth labor market. As Papua New Guinea continues to navigate its economic development, a sustained investment in education and vocational training could potentially alter the trajectory of youth unemployment, paving the way for a more robust and inclusive labor market.
Data & projection
| Year | Youth Unemployment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 3.34% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 3.45% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 3.56% | - | - |
| 2025 | 3.79% | +0.00pp | #16 |
| 2024 | 3.78% | −0.01pp | #15 |
| 2023 | 3.79% | −0.02pp | #15 |
| 2022 | 3.81% | −0.52pp | #17 |
| 2021 | 4.33% | −0.23pp | #17 |
| 2020 | 4.56% | +0.44pp | #16 |
| 2019 | 4.12% | −0.07pp | #19 |
| 2018 | 4.19% | −0.02pp | #19 |
| 2017 | 4.21% | +0.02pp | #16 |
| 2016 | 4.19% | −0.08pp | #18 |
| 2015 | 4.27% | −0.08pp | #20 |
| 2014 | 4.34% | −0.17pp | #22 |
| 2013 | 4.51% | +0.01pp | #20 |
| 2012 | 4.50% | −0.03pp | #20 |
| 2011 | 4.53% | +0.96pp | #19 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Papua New Guinea matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2022. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw youth unemployment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Papua New Guinea's youth unemployment was 3.79% in 2025. Ranked 16th globally. This represents a 0.1% increase from the previous year.
Papua New Guinea's youth unemployment peaked at 5.33% in 1999.
The lowest youth unemployment in Papua New Guinea was 3.57% in 2010.
Papua New Guinea ranks 16th globally in youth unemployment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.1524.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Papua New Guinea's youth unemployment is projected to reach 3.56% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The youth unemployment of Papua New Guinea in 2025 was 3.79%. This ranks 16th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_papua-new-guinea_youth-unemployment,
title = {Papua New Guinea Youth Unemployment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/papua-new-guinea/youth-unemployment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}