Uruguay Youth Unemployment
Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) SL.UEM.1524.ZS
Uruguay's youth unemployment was 25.15% in 2025, ranked 154th globally. This represents a 5.8% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Uruguay's youth unemployment stood at 25.15% in 2025, a decline of +1.55pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 23.46% by 2026. Uruguay ranked 154th globally.
Uruguay’s youth unemployment rate has hovered around a quarter of the labor‑force, standing at 25.15% in 2025, which places the country 154th in the global ranking. The indicator shows a long‑term upward drift since the early 1990s, when the rate was 24.68%, but the most striking movement occurred during the early 2000s, when the all‑time peak of 38.09% was recorded in 2003, reflecting the regional fallout from the Argentine crisis and domestic fiscal tightening. A pronounced improvement followed, culminating in the trough of 18.05% in 2011 after a series of active labor‑market reforms and expansionary fiscal policies. Since then, the rate has risen again, aligning closely with peers such as Guyana (24.90%) and Spain (24.75%). Continued investment in vocational training, digital skills development and incentives for firms to hire young workers will be crucial to reverse the recent ascent and sustain lower unemployment levels.
Data & projection
| Year | Youth Unemployment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 21.07% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 22.26% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 23.46% | - | - |
| 2025 | 25.15% | −1.55pp | #154 |
| 2024 | 26.70% | +0.48pp | #157 |
| 2023 | 26.22% | +0.90pp | #155 |
| 2022 | 25.32% | −6.49pp | #151 |
| 2021 | 31.81% | −2.41pp | #159 |
| 2020 | 34.22% | +5.74pp | #159 |
| 2019 | 28.47% | +1.94pp | #156 |
| 2018 | 26.54% | +1.29pp | #149 |
| 2017 | 25.25% | +1.10pp | #144 |
| 2016 | 24.15% | +1.27pp | #137 |
| 2015 | 22.88% | +3.45pp | #134 |
| 2014 | 19.42% | +0.12pp | #116 |
| 2013 | 19.30% | +0.74pp | #114 |
| 2012 | 18.57% | +0.51pp | #110 |
| 2011 | 18.06% | −2.65pp | #108 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Uruguay matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2020. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw youth unemployment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Uruguay's youth unemployment was 25.15% in 2025. Ranked 154th globally. This represents a 5.8% decrease from the previous year.
Uruguay's youth unemployment peaked at 38.09% in 2003.
The lowest youth unemployment in Uruguay was 18.06% in 2011.
Uruguay ranks 154th globally in youth unemployment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.1524.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Uruguay's youth unemployment is projected to reach 23.46% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The youth unemployment of Uruguay in 2025 was 25.15%. This ranks 154th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_uruguay_youth-unemployment,
title = {Uruguay Youth Unemployment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/uruguay/youth-unemployment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}