Tanzania Youth Unemployment
Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) SL.UEM.1524.ZS
Tanzania's youth unemployment was 2.38% in 2025, ranked 7th globally. This represents a 2.0% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Tanzania's youth unemployment stood at 2.38% in 2025, a rise of +0.05pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 2.20% by 2026. Tanzania ranked 7th globally.
Tanzania’s youth unemployment rate has fallen dramatically over the past three and a half decades, declining from 6.29 % in 1991 to a record low of 2.33 % in 2024 and reaching 2.38 % in 2025, which places the country seventh globally according to World Bank data. The all‑time peak of 6.76 % occurred in 2011, after which a sustained downward trajectory was driven by expanding secondary education enrollment, modest growth in the informal sector, and targeted vocational training programmes. By contrast, peer economies such as Liberia (2.30 %) and Lao PDR (2.38 %) exhibit comparable levels, suggesting that Tanzania’s recent performance is not an isolated phenomenon but part of a broader regional improvement. The continued reduction in youth joblessness will likely depend on the pace of private‑sector diversification, the effectiveness of digital skills initiatives, and the ability to translate demographic momentum into productive employment opportunities.
Data & projection
| Year | Youth Unemployment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 2.05% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 2.13% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 2.20% | - | - |
| 2025 | 2.38% | +0.05pp | #7 |
| 2024 | 2.33% | −0.00pp | #8 |
| 2023 | 2.34% | −0.00pp | #8 |
| 2022 | 2.34% | −0.41pp | #8 |
| 2021 | 2.75% | +0.01pp | #8 |
| 2020 | 2.75% | +0.09pp | #8 |
| 2019 | 2.66% | −0.19pp | #11 |
| 2018 | 2.85% | −0.19pp | #11 |
| 2017 | 3.04% | −0.20pp | #10 |
| 2016 | 3.24% | −0.20pp | #13 |
| 2015 | 3.44% | −0.25pp | #15 |
| 2014 | 3.69% | −2.00pp | #16 |
| 2013 | 5.69% | −0.57pp | #28 |
| 2012 | 6.26% | −0.50pp | #29 |
| 2011 | 6.76% | +0.91pp | #32 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Tanzania matched the Orthodox Tightening Cycle pattern in 2012. Historically, 57% of countries showing this pattern (177 out of 311) saw youth unemployment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Tanzania's youth unemployment was 2.38% in 2025. Ranked 7th globally. This represents a 2.0% increase from the previous year.
Tanzania's youth unemployment peaked at 6.76% in 2011.
The lowest youth unemployment in Tanzania was 2.33% in 2024.
Tanzania ranks 7th globally in youth unemployment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.1524.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Tanzania's youth unemployment is projected to reach 2.20% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The youth unemployment of Tanzania in 2025 was 2.38%. This ranks 7th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_tanzania_youth-unemployment,
title = {Tanzania Youth Unemployment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/tanzania/youth-unemployment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}