Home Sierra Leone Employment Youth Unemployment

Sierra Leone Youth Unemployment

Youth unemployment (ages 15-24)  SL.UEM.1524.ZS

3.72% +0.23pp (+6.5%)
Year 2025 Rank #15 Global Peak 9.44% (2014) Source World Bank

Sierra Leone Youth Unemployment (1991–2025)

Overview

Sierra Leone's youth unemployment stood at 3.72% in 2025, a rise of +0.23pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 3.51% by 2026. Sierra Leone ranked 15th globally.

Data & projection

Year Youth Unemployment YoY change Rank
2028* trend 3.43% - -
2027* trend 3.47% - -
2026* trend 3.51% - -
2025 3.72% +0.23pp #15
2024 3.49% +0.01pp #14
2023 3.48% −0.03pp #14
2022 3.51% −0.39pp #16
2021 3.90% −0.18pp #15
2020 4.08% +0.50pp #14
2019 3.58% +0.01pp #14
2018 3.57% −1.51pp #13
2017 5.09% −1.62pp #22
2016 6.71% −1.43pp #33
2015 8.14% −1.31pp #44
2014 9.44% +0.71pp #60
2013 8.74% +0.29pp #50
2012 8.44% +0.28pp #52
2011 8.16% +0.36pp #45
Show all years (1991-2025)
* Linear trend extrapolation

Detected Pattern

Currency Crisis Pattern
Rapid currency depreciation (>30% YoY) combined with reserve drawdown and inflation surge. Often precedes emergency rate hikes.
Inflation 47.6% Reserves YoY -20.6% FX YoY +51.7%
Occurred 128 times, 35 successful
Inflation
133.5%
Reserves YoY
-48.5%
FX YoY
+126.8%
Inflation
38.1%
Reserves YoY
-30.4%
FX YoY
+33.2%
Inflation
221.3%
Reserves YoY
-15.4%
FX YoY
+820.4%
Inflation
47.6%
Reserves YoY
-20.6%
FX YoY
+51.7%
Inflation
667.4%
Reserves YoY
-80.7%
FX YoY
+835.9%
Inflation
31.3%
Reserves YoY
-47.5%
FX YoY
+42.5%
24 mo later
22.8%

Analysis

Sierra Leone matched the Currency Crisis Pattern pattern in 2023. Historically, 27% of countries showing this pattern (35 out of 128) saw youth unemployment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sierra Leone's youth unemployment?

Sierra Leone's youth unemployment was 3.72% in 2025. Ranked 15th globally. This represents a 6.5% increase from the previous year.

What was the highest youth unemployment in Sierra Leone?

Sierra Leone's youth unemployment peaked at 9.44% in 2014.

What was the lowest youth unemployment in Sierra Leone?

The lowest youth unemployment in Sierra Leone was 3.48% in 2023.

How does Sierra Leone rank in youth unemployment?

Sierra Leone ranks 15th globally in youth unemployment as of 2025.

What is the World Bank indicator code for youth unemployment?

The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.1524.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.

What is the projected youth unemployment of Sierra Leone in 2026?

Sierra Leone's youth unemployment is projected to reach 3.51% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.

What is the youth unemployment of Sierra Leone in 2025?

The youth unemployment of Sierra Leone in 2025 was 3.72%. This ranks 15th in the world.

Cite this page

APA
Sierra Leone Youth Unemployment. HistorySaid. Retrieved April 1, 2026, from https://historysaid.com/sierra-leone/youth-unemployment
BibTeX
@misc{historysaid_sierra-leone_youth-unemployment, title = {Sierra Leone Youth Unemployment}, url = {https://historysaid.com/sierra-leone/youth-unemployment}, publisher = {HistorySaid}, year = {2026} }