Turkmenistan Youth Unemployment
Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) SL.UEM.1524.ZS
Turkmenistan's youth unemployment was 10.02% in 2025, ranked 71st globally. This represents a 7.4% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Turkmenistan's youth unemployment stood at 10.02% in 2025, a rise of +0.69pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 9.52% by 2026. Turkmenistan ranked 71st globally.
Turkmenistan’s youth unemployment rate has risen sharply since the early 1990s, climbing from a trough of 2.75 % in 1991 to an all‑time peak of 24.58 % in 1999, before moderating to 10.02 % in 2025, placing the country 71st globally. The post‑Soviet transition, marked by rapid privatization and structural adjustments, likely contributed to the 1999 surge, while subsequent macro‑economic stabilization and modest expansion of vocational training have helped contain the rate in recent years. Compared with peers, Turkmenistan’s 2025 figure is virtually identical to Saudi Arabia’s 10.01 % and slightly lower than the Central African Republic’s 10.09 %, suggesting that its youth labour market performance aligns with a diverse set of economies rather than reflecting a regional norm. Continued diversification away from hydrocarbon dependence and targeted investment in skill development could further reduce youth unemployment, steering the trend downward over the next decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Youth Unemployment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 9.49% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 9.51% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 9.52% | - | - |
| 2025 | 10.02% | +0.69pp | #71 |
| 2024 | 9.34% | +0.14pp | #62 |
| 2023 | 9.20% | +0.09pp | #62 |
| 2022 | 9.11% | −1.12pp | #58 |
| 2021 | 10.23% | +0.07pp | #60 |
| 2020 | 10.16% | +1.67pp | #52 |
| 2019 | 8.48% | +0.03pp | #55 |
| 2018 | 8.45% | −0.11pp | #56 |
| 2017 | 8.56% | −0.23pp | #55 |
| 2016 | 8.79% | −0.13pp | #52 |
| 2015 | 8.92% | −0.15pp | #57 |
| 2014 | 9.07% | +0.13pp | #55 |
| 2013 | 8.93% | +0.04pp | #53 |
| 2012 | 8.89% | +0.36pp | #59 |
| 2011 | 8.53% | +0.10pp | #49 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Turkmenistan matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2002. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw youth unemployment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Turkmenistan's youth unemployment was 10.02% in 2025. Ranked 71st globally. This represents a 7.4% increase from the previous year.
Turkmenistan's youth unemployment peaked at 24.58% in 1999.
The lowest youth unemployment in Turkmenistan was 2.75% in 1991.
Turkmenistan ranks 71st globally in youth unemployment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.1524.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Turkmenistan's youth unemployment is projected to reach 9.52% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The youth unemployment of Turkmenistan in 2025 was 10.02%. This ranks 71st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_turkmenistan_youth-unemployment,
title = {Turkmenistan Youth Unemployment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/turkmenistan/youth-unemployment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}