How does youth unemployment compare across the selected countries? The figures are ILO modeled estimates distributed through World Bank WDI for 2025; they are not a new WorldDataRank survey. The observation period is distinct from the date this article is prepared.
Key takeaways
- Uruguay ranked 1 with 25.1 % of labor force ages 15–24 in 2025.
- Chile ranked 2 with 21.6 % of labor force ages 15–24 in 2025.
- Costa Rica ranked 3 with 19.9 % of labor force ages 15–24 in 2025.
How does youth unemployment compare across the selected countries?
This measure describes unemployed young people as a share of the youth labor force. Young people outside the labor force are not in its denominator. It therefore answers a different question from the share of all young people without a job or outside education and employment.
How to interpret the differences
The ordering describes labor-market outcomes under a common indicator, not their causes. Participation, study patterns and informal work can affect what the unemployment rate captures. The chart cannot by itself establish which education or employment policy produced a result.
A country average, not a regional total
Mean: 12.4 % of labor force ages 15–24 in 2025.
This is an unweighted mean across the reported countries. Each country contributes equally; the result is not a GDP-weighted or population-weighted regional aggregate.
What to investigate next
Read the overall unemployment comparison alongside labor-force participation before drawing conclusions about labor-market access. A lower youth unemployment rate alone does not establish that more young people have secure or well-paid work.
| Rank | Country | Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) (modeled ILO estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uruguay | 25.1% |
| 2 | Chile | 21.6% |
| 3 | Costa Rica | 19.9% |
| 4 | Panama | 19.8% |
| 5 | Argentina | 19.2% |
| 6 | Colombia | 17.7% |
| 7 | Brazil | 14.0% |
| 8 | Canada | 13.8% |
| 9 | Dominican Republic | 12.3% |
| 10 | Paraguay | 11.7% |
| 11 | Nicaragua | 9.5% |
| 12 | Peru | 9.5% |
| 13 | United States | 9.3% |
| 14 | Honduras | 8.5% |
| 15 | Ecuador | 8.2% |
| 16 | El Salvador | 7.8% |
| 17 | Mexico | 5.7% |
| 18 | Bolivia | 5.0% |
| 19 | Guatemala | 4.8% |
| 20 | Cuba | 4.3% |
Source: World Bank WDI (SL.UEM.1524.ZS)
Methodology: World Bank indicator SL.UEM.1524.ZS for 20 reported countries from the configured 20-country comparison in 2025; exact source-reported values ranked descending without imputation or unit conversion. Missing observations remain excluded.
Methodology
World Bank indicator SL.UEM.1524.ZS for 20 reported countries from the configured 20-country comparison in 2025; exact source-reported values ranked descending without imputation or unit conversion. Missing observations remain excluded.
Caveats
Coverage is limited to the configured selected-country universe and the stated reference year. Missing observations are not imputed.
Data attribution and reproducibility
ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), published by ILOSTAT, via World Bank WDI. Indicator definitions and original provider credits. Data distributed under CC BY 4.0. WorldDataRank calculated the ordering and country mean and created the visual. Data retrieved 2026-10-30T03:45:53Z. The upstream release date is not supplied in this snapshot; it is not inferred from the observation year. This publication is independent and is not endorsed by the data providers.