United States Youth Unemployment
Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) SL.UEM.1524.ZS
United States's youth unemployment was 9.34% in 2025, ranked 62nd globally. This represents a 4.7% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
United States's youth unemployment stood at 9.34% in 2025, a rise of +0.42pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 8.83% by 2026. United States ranked 62nd globally.
Youth unemployment in the United States has fallen sharply from an all‑time peak of 18.36 % in 2010 to a trough of 7.95 % in 2023, before rising again to 9.34 % in 2025, placing the country 62nd in the world. The 35‑year series shows a long‑term decline, interrupted by a brief resurgence after the pandemic, yet the 2025 rate remains slightly above the levels recorded by peers such as Czechia (9.22 %) and Bangladesh (9.38 %). The post‑2010 contraction reflects the recovery of the labor market as the economy expanded, while the recent uptick coincides with slower job creation for younger workers and structural mismatches in skill demand. Continued investment in vocational training and targeted incentives for entry‑level positions could moderate the upward pressure and steer the United States back toward the low‑unemployment levels observed in the early 2020s.
Data & projection
| Year | Youth Unemployment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 8.85% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 8.84% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 8.83% | - | - |
| 2025 | 9.34% | +0.42pp | #62 |
| 2024 | 8.92% | +0.97pp | #58 |
| 2023 | 7.95% | −0.15pp | #49 |
| 2022 | 8.11% | −1.60pp | #51 |
| 2021 | 9.70% | −5.19pp | #54 |
| 2020 | 14.89% | +6.52pp | #90 |
| 2019 | 8.38% | −0.23pp | #52 |
| 2018 | 8.61% | −0.63pp | #57 |
| 2017 | 9.24% | −1.19pp | #59 |
| 2016 | 10.43% | −1.20pp | #64 |
| 2015 | 11.63% | −1.78pp | #77 |
| 2014 | 13.41% | −2.15pp | #85 |
| 2013 | 15.56% | −0.65pp | #93 |
| 2012 | 16.21% | −1.06pp | #97 |
| 2011 | 17.27% | −1.09pp | #102 |
Analysis
United States's youth unemployment was 9.34% in 2025, a rise of +0.42pp from 2024. Based on trends, estimated 8.83% by 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
United States's youth unemployment was 9.34% in 2025. Ranked 62nd globally. This represents a 4.7% increase from the previous year.
United States's youth unemployment peaked at 18.36% in 2010.
The lowest youth unemployment in United States was 7.95% in 2023.
United States ranks 62nd globally in youth unemployment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.1524.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
United States's youth unemployment is projected to reach 8.83% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The youth unemployment of United States in 2025 was 9.34%. This ranks 62nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_united-states_youth-unemployment,
title = {United States Youth Unemployment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/united-states/youth-unemployment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}