Tajikistan Youth Unemployment
Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) SL.UEM.1524.ZS
Tajikistan's youth unemployment was 14.59% in 2025, ranked 104th globally. This represents a 0.3% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Tajikistan's youth unemployment stood at 14.59% in 2025, a rise of +0.04pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 14.36% by 2026. Tajikistan ranked 104th globally.
Tajikistan’s youth unemployment rate has risen sharply from a trough of 2.72 % in 1991 to an all‑time peak of 15.66 % in 2020, before easing slightly to 14.59 % in 2025, placing the country at 104th globally. The rapid increase over the 35‑year span reflects structural labor‑market constraints, limited private‑sector growth, and demographic pressures as the share of young people entering the labour force has expanded. Compared with peers of similar rank, Tajikistan’s rate is marginally lower than the United Kingdom’s 14.65 % and higher than New Zealand’s 14.36 %, indicating that its youth unemployment remains relatively severe within this group. The modest decline from the 2020 peak suggests that recent policy measures, such as vocational training programmes and modest incentives for youth entrepreneurship, may be beginning to bear fruit. Continued investment in skill development and the diversification of the economy will be critical to sustain the downward momentum and prevent a reversal of the recent improvement.
Data & projection
| Year | Youth Unemployment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 14.16% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 14.26% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 14.36% | - | - |
| 2025 | 14.59% | +0.04pp | #104 |
| 2024 | 14.56% | +0.04pp | #103 |
| 2023 | 14.51% | +0.03pp | #104 |
| 2022 | 14.48% | −0.64pp | #102 |
| 2021 | 15.12% | −0.54pp | #94 |
| 2020 | 15.66% | +1.50pp | #97 |
| 2019 | 14.16% | +0.10pp | #101 |
| 2018 | 14.06% | +0.10pp | #99 |
| 2017 | 13.96% | +0.10pp | #96 |
| 2016 | 13.85% | +0.13pp | #92 |
| 2015 | 13.72% | +0.14pp | #90 |
| 2014 | 13.58% | +0.14pp | #87 |
| 2013 | 13.44% | +0.13pp | #83 |
| 2012 | 13.31% | +0.11pp | #82 |
| 2011 | 13.20% | +0.12pp | #81 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Tajikistan 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
Tajikistan's youth unemployment was 14.59% in 2025. Ranked 104th globally. This represents a 0.3% increase from the previous year.
Tajikistan's youth unemployment peaked at 15.66% in 2020.
The lowest youth unemployment in Tajikistan was 2.72% in 1991.
Tajikistan ranks 104th globally in youth unemployment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.1524.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Tajikistan's youth unemployment is projected to reach 14.36% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The youth unemployment of Tajikistan in 2025 was 14.59%. This ranks 104th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_tajikistan_youth-unemployment,
title = {Tajikistan Youth Unemployment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/tajikistan/youth-unemployment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}