Romania Youth Unemployment
Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) SL.UEM.1524.ZS
Romania's youth unemployment was 24.54% in 2025, ranked 150th globally. This represents a 3.9% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Romania's youth unemployment stood at 24.54% in 2025, a rise of +0.91pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 25.04% by 2026. Romania ranked 150th globally.
Romania's youth unemployment rate has experienced significant fluctuations over the past three and a half decades. At 24.54% in 2025, the country ranks #150 globally, a position it shares with several peers, including Montenegro. Notably, Romania's youth unemployment rate peaked in 1991 at 27.22%, a level it has not surpassed since. Conversely, the all-time trough of 16.61% was reached in 2018, indicating a substantial improvement in the employment prospects of Romanian youth. The rate has been steadily increasing since then, with the latest figure surpassing the trough by nearly 8 percentage points. This trend is concerning, especially considering the relatively low rate of 24.31% in Sweden, a country often cited as a benchmark for effective youth employment policies. A continued increase in youth unemployment may be mitigated by targeted education and job training programs, as well as investments in infrastructure and entrepreneurship development.
Data & projection
| Year | Youth Unemployment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 26.55% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 25.80% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 25.04% | - | - |
| 2025 | 24.54% | +0.91pp | #150 |
| 2024 | 23.63% | +1.93pp | #148 |
| 2023 | 21.70% | −1.17pp | #140 |
| 2022 | 22.87% | +1.73pp | #143 |
| 2021 | 21.15% | +3.57pp | #127 |
| 2020 | 17.58% | +0.44pp | #107 |
| 2019 | 17.14% | +0.54pp | #120 |
| 2018 | 16.61% | −2.12pp | #114 |
| 2017 | 18.73% | −2.30pp | #118 |
| 2016 | 21.02% | −1.01pp | #124 |
| 2015 | 22.03% | −2.34pp | #129 |
| 2014 | 24.36% | +0.35pp | #137 |
| 2013 | 24.02% | +1.21pp | #134 |
| 2012 | 22.81% | −1.26pp | #127 |
| 2011 | 24.06% | +1.88pp | #141 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Romania matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2023. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw youth unemployment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Romania's youth unemployment was 24.54% in 2025. Ranked 150th globally. This represents a 3.9% increase from the previous year.
Romania's youth unemployment peaked at 27.22% in 1991.
The lowest youth unemployment in Romania was 16.61% in 2018.
Romania ranks 150th globally in youth unemployment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.1524.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Romania's youth unemployment is projected to reach 25.04% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The youth unemployment of Romania in 2025 was 24.54%. This ranks 150th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_romania_youth-unemployment,
title = {Romania Youth Unemployment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/romania/youth-unemployment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}