Virgin Islands (US) Youth Unemployment
Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) SL.UEM.1524.ZS
Virgin Islands (US)'s youth unemployment was 24.20% in 2025, ranked 147th globally. This represents a 5.0% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Virgin Islands (US)'s youth unemployment stood at 24.20% in 2025, a rise of +1.15pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 20.75% by 2026. Virgin Islands (US) ranked 147th globally.
Virgin Islands (US) youth unemployment has hovered near the mid‑twenties for three decades, registering 24.20 % in 2025, which places the territory at 147th in the World Bank’s global ranking. The indicator rose sharply during the COVID‑19 pandemic, reaching an all‑time high of 34.06 % in 2020, before receding to a pre‑crisis low of 19.85 % in 2007. Over the 35‑year series, the rate has remained above 20 % for most years, indicating persistent structural challenges in the labor market for young workers. Compared with peers of similar rank, the Virgin Islands’ youth unemployment is marginally lower than Sweden’s 24.31 % and Montenegro’s 24.44 % but higher than Mauritania’s 22.92 %. The modest decline from the pandemic peak suggests that targeted training programmes and diversification of the service sector could further reduce the rate, while any resurgence of external shocks would likely reverse the recent downward momentum.
Data & projection
| Year | Youth Unemployment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 17.63% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 19.19% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 20.75% | - | - |
| 2025 | 24.20% | +1.15pp | #147 |
| 2024 | 23.05% | −0.54pp | #147 |
| 2023 | 23.59% | −2.02pp | #148 |
| 2022 | 25.61% | −5.10pp | #153 |
| 2021 | 30.71% | −3.35pp | #157 |
| 2020 | 34.06% | +7.56pp | #158 |
| 2019 | 26.51% | +0.03pp | #151 |
| 2018 | 26.47% | +0.43pp | #148 |
| 2017 | 26.04% | −0.70pp | #147 |
| 2016 | 26.75% | +1.32pp | #149 |
| 2015 | 25.43% | −0.87pp | #142 |
| 2014 | 26.30% | +0.12pp | #145 |
| 2013 | 26.18% | +1.26pp | #140 |
| 2012 | 24.92% | +0.55pp | #137 |
| 2011 | 24.37% | +1.30pp | #142 |
Analysis
Virgin Islands (US)'s youth unemployment was 24.20% in 2025, a rise of +1.15pp from 2024. Based on trends, estimated 20.75% by 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Virgin Islands (US)'s youth unemployment was 24.20% in 2025. Ranked 147th globally. This represents a 5.0% increase from the previous year.
Virgin Islands (US)'s youth unemployment peaked at 34.06% in 2020.
The lowest youth unemployment in Virgin Islands (US) was 19.85% in 2007.
Virgin Islands (US) ranks 147th globally in youth unemployment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.1524.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Virgin Islands (US)'s youth unemployment is projected to reach 20.75% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The youth unemployment of Virgin Islands (US) in 2025 was 24.20%. This ranks 147th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_virgin-islands-us_youth-unemployment,
title = {Virgin Islands (US) Youth Unemployment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/virgin-islands-us/youth-unemployment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}