Youth Unemployment Rate 2003

Youth unemployment rate shows the percentage of young people actively seeking but unable to find work.

186 data pointsβ€’β€’Global Coverageβ€’Youth unemployment rateβ€’

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Complete Data Rankings

Rank
Actions
1
Djibouti flag
Djibouti
66.643 %
2
North Macedonia flag
North Macedonia
65.75 %
3
Bosnia and Herzegovina flag
Bosnia and Herzegovina
57.108 %
4
Montenegro flag
Montenegro
55.513 %
5
Eswatini flag
Eswatini
52.664 %
6
Botswana flag
Botswana
47.043 %
7
Libya flag
Libya
46.7 %
8
Algeria flag
Algeria
43.862 %
9
South Africa flag
South Africa
43.796 %
10
Namibia flag
Namibia
42.872 %
11
Poland flag
Poland
42.659 %
12
New Caledonia flag
New Caledonia
41.773 %
13
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines flag
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
40.35 %
14
Congo flag
Congo
39.796 %
15
Angola flag
Angola
38.403 %
16
Uruguay flag
Uruguay
38.091 %
17
Saint Lucia flag
Saint Lucia
36.811 %
18
Croatia flag
Croatia
36.089 %
19
State of Palestine flag
State of Palestine
35.433 %
20
Serbia flag
Serbia
35.057 %
21
Gabon flag
Gabon
33.795 %
22
Somalia flag
Somalia
33.646 %
23
Slovakia flag
Slovakia
33.408 %
24
Jordan flag
Jordan
33.288 %
25
French Polynesia flag
French Polynesia
33.262 %
26
Argentina flag
Argentina
32.924 %
27
Tunisia flag
Tunisia
30.664 %
28
Egypt flag
Egypt
29.399 %
29
Haiti flag
Haiti
29.201 %
30
Finland flag
Finland
28.102 %
31
Venezuela flag
Venezuela
27.914 %
32
Zambia flag
Zambia
27.737 %
33
Sri Lanka flag
Sri Lanka
27.586 %
34
Albania flag
Albania
27.516 %
35
Bulgaria flag
Bulgaria
27.057 %
36
Italy flag
Italy
26.983 %
37
Lithuania flag
Lithuania
26.932 %
38
Estonia flag
Estonia
26.721 %
39
Greece flag
Greece
26.499 %
40
Barbados flag
Barbados
25.867 %
41
Mauritius flag
Mauritius
25.25 %
42
Colombia flag
Colombia
25.154 %
43
Chile flag
Chile
24.725 %
44
Bahamas flag
Bahamas
24.652 %
45
Cabo Verde flag
Cabo Verde
24.514 %
46
Saudi Arabia flag
Saudi Arabia
24.438 %
47
Suriname flag
Suriname
24.14 %
48
Sudan flag
Sudan
24.103 %
49
Puerto Rico flag
Puerto Rico
23.33 %
50
Guyana flag
Guyana
23.301 %
51
Guam flag
Guam
22.854 %
52
Georgia flag
Georgia
22.768 %
53
Sao Tome and Principe flag
Sao Tome and Principe
22.718 %
54
Iran flag
Iran
22.683 %
55
Israel flag
Israel
22.409 %
56
Lesotho flag
Lesotho
22.387 %
57
Spain flag
Spain
22.328 %
58
United States Virgin Islands flag
United States Virgin Islands
22.111 %
59
Indonesia flag
Indonesia
21.436 %
60
Trinidad and Tobago flag
Trinidad and Tobago
21.428 %
61
Brazil flag
Brazil
21.382 %
62
Belize flag
Belize
20.995 %
63
India flag
India
20.855 %
64
Latvia flag
Latvia
20.418 %
65
Turkey flag
Turkey
20.253 %
66
Lebanon flag
Lebanon
20.15 %
67
Romania flag
Romania
19.678 %
68
Yemen flag
Yemen
19.601 %
69
Syrian Arab Republic flag
Syrian Arab Republic
19.433 %
70
Nepal flag
Nepal
19.053 %
71
Belgium flag
Belgium
18.982 %
72
Azerbaijan flag
Azerbaijan
18.959 %
73
Uzbekistan flag
Uzbekistan
18.882 %
74
South Sudan flag
South Sudan
18.553 %
75
Brunei Darussalam flag
Brunei Darussalam
18.328 %
76
Belarus flag
Belarus
18.074 %
77
Turkmenistan flag
Turkmenistan
17.973 %
78
Malta flag
Malta
17.572 %
79
Czech Republic flag
Czech Republic
17.555 %
80
Russia flag
Russia
17.555 %
81
Iraq flag
Iraq
17.271 %
82
France flag
France
17.178 %
83
Morocco flag
Morocco
17.041 %
84
Ukraine flag
Ukraine
16.882 %
85
Jamaica flag
Jamaica
16.546 %
86
Rwanda flag
Rwanda
15.684 %
87
Slovenia flag
Slovenia
15.346 %
88
Mauritania flag
Mauritania
15.134 %
89
Equatorial Guinea flag
Equatorial Guinea
15.098 %
90
Costa Rica flag
Costa Rica
15.051 %
91
Republic of Moldova flag
Republic of Moldova
14.85 %
92
China, Hong Kong SAR flag
China, Hong Kong SAR
14.84 %
93
Oman flag
Oman
14.571 %
94
Gambia flag
Gambia
14.522 %
95
Kazakhstan flag
Kazakhstan
14.349 %
96
Vanuatu flag
Vanuatu
14.335 %
97
Sweden flag
Sweden
14.312 %
98
Panama flag
Panama
13.884 %
99
Tonga flag
Tonga
13.865 %
100
Canada flag
Canada
13.624 %
101
Portugal flag
Portugal
13.492 %
102
Dominican Republic flag
Dominican Republic
13.423 %
103
Paraguay flag
Paraguay
13.35 %
104
Hungary flag
Hungary
13.171 %
105
Ghana flag
Ghana
13.052 %
106
United States flag
United States
12.362 %
107
Samoa flag
Samoa
12.249 %
108
Armenia flag
Armenia
12.039 %
109
Nicaragua flag
Nicaragua
12.021 %
110
Australia flag
Australia
11.962 %
111
El Salvador flag
El Salvador
11.901 %
112
Norway flag
Norway
11.826 %
113
Iceland flag
Iceland
11.815 %
114
China, Macao SAR flag
China, Macao SAR
11.813 %
115
Fiji flag
Fiji
11.514 %
116
Malaysia flag
Malaysia
11.494 %
117
United Kingdom flag
United Kingdom
11.236 %
118
Maldives flag
Maldives
11.118 %
119
Germany flag
Germany
11.024 %
120
Central African Republic flag
Central African Republic
10.947 %
121
Luxembourg flag
Luxembourg
10.888 %
122
Ecuador flag
Ecuador
10.849 %
123
Mongolia flag
Mongolia
10.605 %
124
New Zealand flag
New Zealand
10.486 %
125
Eritrea flag
Eritrea
10.42 %
126
Japan flag
Japan
10.199 %
127
Afghanistan flag
Afghanistan
10.159 %
128
Timor-Leste flag
Timor-Leste
9.951 %
129
Comoros flag
Comoros
9.854 %
130
Singapore flag
Singapore
9.847 %
131
Denmark flag
Denmark
9.804 %
132
China flag
China
9.624 %
133
South Korea flag
South Korea
9.424 %
134
Honduras flag
Honduras
9.201 %
135
Zimbabwe flag
Zimbabwe
8.951 %
136
Philippines flag
Philippines
8.923 %
137
Cameroon flag
Cameroon
8.92 %
138
Cyprus flag
Cyprus
8.611 %
139
Switzerland flag
Switzerland
8.494 %
140
North Korea flag
North Korea
8.039 %
141
Ireland flag
Ireland
7.706 %
142
CΓ΄te d'Ivoire flag
CΓ΄te d'Ivoire
7.68 %
143
Austria flag
Austria
7.429 %
144
Nigeria flag
Nigeria
7.233 %
145
Sierra Leone flag
Sierra Leone
7.206 %
146
Togo flag
Togo
7.173 %
147
Mexico flag
Mexico
7.099 %
148
Madagascar flag
Madagascar
6.875 %
149
Malawi flag
Malawi
6.849 %
150
United Arab Emirates flag
United Arab Emirates
6.83 %
151
Kenya flag
Kenya
6.829 %
152
Bangladesh flag
Bangladesh
6.606 %
153
Netherlands flag
Netherlands
6.529 %
154
Peru flag
Peru
6.364 %
155
Mozambique flag
Mozambique
6.216 %
156
Guinea flag
Guinea
5.694 %
157
Tanzania flag
Tanzania
5.544 %
158
Tajikistan flag
Tajikistan
5.517 %
159
Bhutan flag
Bhutan
5.379 %
160
Uganda flag
Uganda
5.331 %
161
Kuwait flag
Kuwait
5.219 %
162
Thailand flag
Thailand
5.188 %
163
Congo, Democratic Republic of the flag
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
5.07 %
164
Bolivia flag
Bolivia
4.956 %
165
Kyrgyzstan flag
Kyrgyzstan
4.842 %
166
Cuba flag
Cuba
4.742 %
167
Papua New Guinea flag
Papua New Guinea
4.725 %
168
Vietnam flag
Vietnam
4.718 %
169
Niger flag
Niger
4.529 %
170
Guatemala flag
Guatemala
4.425 %
171
Burkina Faso flag
Burkina Faso
4.339 %
172
Ethiopia flag
Ethiopia
4.316 %
173
Bahrain flag
Bahrain
4.044 %
174
Burundi flag
Burundi
3.854 %
175
Guinea-Bissau flag
Guinea-Bissau
3.847 %
176
Solomon Islands flag
Solomon Islands
3.544 %
177
Laos flag
Laos
3.46 %
178
Liberia flag
Liberia
3.252 %
179
Senegal flag
Senegal
2.913 %
180
Qatar flag
Qatar
2.794 %
181
Mali flag
Mali
2.024 %
182
Cambodia flag
Cambodia
1.48 %
183
Myanmar flag
Myanmar
1.35 %
184
Chad flag
Chad
1.097 %
185
Benin flag
Benin
0.984 %
186
Pakistan flag
Pakistan
0.948 %

↑Top 10 Countries

  1. #1Djibouti flagDjibouti
  2. #2North Macedonia flagNorth Macedonia
  3. #3Bosnia and Herzegovina flagBosnia and Herzegovina
  4. #4Montenegro flagMontenegro
  5. #5Eswatini flagEswatini
  6. #6Botswana flagBotswana
  7. #7Libya flagLibya
  8. #8Algeria flagAlgeria
  9. #9South Africa flagSouth Africa
  10. #10Namibia flagNamibia

Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.

↓Bottom 10 Countries

  1. #186Pakistan flagPakistan
  2. #185Benin flagBenin
  3. #184Chad flagChad
  4. #183Myanmar flagMyanmar
  5. #182Cambodia flagCambodia
  6. #181Mali flagMali
  7. #180Qatar flagQatar
  8. #179Senegal flagSenegal
  9. #178Liberia flagLiberia
  10. #177Laos flagLaos

Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.

Analysis & Context

In 2003, the country with the highest Youth Unemployment Rate was Djibouti at a staggering 66.64%, while the global range spanned from 0.95% to 66.64%. The global average Youth Unemployment Rate was 17.80%, providing a benchmark for understanding the scale of youth joblessness worldwide.

Economic Disparities and Youth Unemployment

The stark differences in youth unemployment rates across countries highlight significant economic disparities. Djibouti, with the highest rate of 66.64%, reflects economic challenges, including limited job creation and a high reliance on informal sectors. In contrast, Pakistan recorded the lowest rate at 0.95%, which may partly result from a high level of informal employment that often goes unreported in official statistics.

In countries like North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, with youth unemployment rates of 65.75% and 57.11% respectively, the situation can be attributed to post-conflict economic restructuring challenges. These nations grapple with transitioning economies that struggle to absorb young job seekers into the formal labor market.

Geopolitical Influences on Employment

Geopolitical factors also play a crucial role in shaping youth employment landscapes. In Montenegro and Eswatini, with high unemployment rates of 55.51% and 52.66%, political instability and economic policies have had adverse effects on job creation. Eswatini, in particular, faces structural economic issues, such as a narrow industrial base and dependency on agriculture, which limits opportunities for young workers.

On the other hand, countries like Qatar and Senegal, with lower unemployment rates of 2.79% and 2.91%, benefit from political stability and targeted policies aimed at diversifying the economy and enhancing skill development among youth.

Year-over-Year Trends and Their Implications

Analyzing year-over-year changes reveals dynamic shifts in youth unemployment rates. North Macedonia experienced the largest increase, with a rise of 7.31% (12.5%), indicating worsening economic conditions or changes in labor market policies that failed to absorb young workers. Similarly, Estonia and Lithuania saw significant increases of 6.53% (32.3%) and 6.51% (31.9%), respectively, possibly due to economic transformations and the reorientation of industries.

Conversely, Bulgaria and Argentina recorded substantial decreases of 8.55% (-24.0%) and 8.43% (-20.4%), which may reflect successful policy interventions or economic recovery efforts that improved job prospects for young individuals. In Slovakia, a reduction of 4.02% (-10.7%) indicates positive strides in employment policies and economic stabilization.

Policy Impacts and Future Considerations

Policy interventions play a critical role in addressing youth unemployment. Countries with lower rates often benefit from robust educational systems that align with labor market needs, such as in Qatar, where vocational training and skill development are prioritized. Conversely, high unemployment in South Africa (43.80%) and Namibia (42.87%) highlights the need for policies that enhance economic diversification and reduce barriers to entry for young workers.

Looking forward, addressing youth unemployment requires a multifaceted approach, including fostering entrepreneurship, enhancing educational quality, and implementing targeted labor market reforms. As global economies evolve, adapting to changing demographic and technological trends will be essential to ensuring that young people are equipped to thrive in the workforce.

Frequently Asked Questions About Youth Unemployment Rate in 2003

Which country had the highest youth unemployment rate in 2003?

Djibouti had the highest youth unemployment rate in 2003, with a rate of 66.64%.

Which country had the lowest youth unemployment rate in 2003?

Pakistan had the lowest youth unemployment rate in 2003, with a rate of 0.95%.

What was the average youth unemployment rate across all countries in 2003?

The average youth unemployment rate across all countries in 2003 was 17.8%.

What was the median youth unemployment rate in 2003?

The median youth unemployment rate in 2003 was 14.55%.

What are the top three countries with the highest youth unemployment rates in 2003?

The top three countries with the highest youth unemployment rates in 2003 were Djibouti at 66.64%, North Macedonia at 65.75%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina at 57.11%.

What are the bottom three countries with the lowest youth unemployment rates in 2003?

The bottom three countries with the lowest youth unemployment rates in 2003 were Pakistan at 0.95%, Benin at 0.98%, and Chad at 1.1%.

Insights by country

1

Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan ranked #165 globally with a Youth Unemployment Rate of 4.842 % in 2003. This rate was notably lower than many of its regional neighbors, reflecting a relatively stable labor market for young people at that time. Key factors contributing to this statistic include the country's efforts to promote entrepreneurship and the significant role of remittances from abroad, which can reduce local unemployment pressures.

2

Kuwait

In 2003, Kuwait had a Youth Unemployment Rate of 5.219 %, ranking #161 out of 186 countries. This rate is relatively low compared to many countries in the Middle East, indicating a more favorable labor market for young individuals. Economic stability driven by oil revenues and a relatively small population contribute to this statistic, as Kuwait has been able to provide job opportunities for its youth through both public and private sectors.

3

Eritrea

In 2003, Eritrea had a Youth Unemployment Rate of 10.42%, ranking #125 out of 186 countries. This rate is relatively low compared to many other nations in the region, where youth unemployment often exceeds 20%. The country's unique geopolitical situation, including its long-standing conflict with Ethiopia, has impacted economic opportunities for young people, while limited investment in education and vocational training has hindered skill development.

4

Central African Republic

In 2003, the Youth Unemployment Rate in Central African Republic was 10.947 %, ranking the country #120 out of 186 countries. This rate is relatively low compared to many other nations in Sub-Saharan Africa, where youth unemployment often exceeds 20%. Contributing factors to this statistic include a limited formal job market and ongoing political instability, which hinder economic growth and job creation for young people.

5

Madagascar

In 2003, Madagascar had a Youth Unemployment Rate of 6.875%, ranking #148 out of 186 countries. This rate is relatively low compared to many African nations, reflecting the challenges of a predominantly informal economy. Key drivers of this statistic include Madagascar's significant agricultural sector, which employs a large portion of the youth, and ongoing economic instability that limits job creation in formal industries.

6

Suriname

In 2003, Suriname had a Youth Unemployment Rate of 24.14 %, ranking #47 out of 186 countries. This rate is significantly higher than the global average, indicating a pressing issue for the nation's young population. Contributing factors include Suriname's reliance on a narrow economic base, primarily dependent on natural resources, and limited job creation in sectors that typically employ youth, such as technology and services.

7

Cambodia

In 2003, Cambodia had a youth unemployment rate of 1.48%, ranking #182 out of 186 countries. This rate is significantly lower than the global average, indicating a unique labor market situation. Key factors contributing to this low unemployment rate include a youthful population and the country's ongoing recovery from decades of conflict, which has led to increased economic activity and job creation in various sectors.

8

Philippines

In 2003, the Philippines had a Youth Unemployment Rate of 8.923 %, ranking #136 out of 186 countries. This rate is notably higher than the global average, reflecting challenges faced by the nation in providing adequate job opportunities for its youth. Contributing factors include a rapidly growing population, limited job creation in key sectors, and economic fluctuations that hinder employment growth.

9

Brunei Darussalam

In 2003, Brunei Darussalam had a youth unemployment rate of 18.328 %, ranking #75 out of 186 countries. This rate is notably higher than many neighboring Southeast Asian nations, reflecting challenges in job creation for young people in the region. Contributing factors include a small domestic market and a reliance on oil and gas, which limits diversification into sectors that could absorb more youth into the workforce.

10

Australia

In 2003, Australia had a youth unemployment rate of 11.962%, ranking #110 out of 186 countries. This figure was notably higher than the global average, reflecting challenges in the job market for younger individuals. Contributing factors included the transition from a resource-driven economy to one focused on services, as well as a competitive labor market that often favored experienced workers over youth.

11

Luxembourg

In 2003, Luxembourg had a Youth Unemployment Rate of 10.888%, ranking #121 out of 186 countries. This rate was notably higher than the European Union average, reflecting challenges in integrating young workers into the labor market. Contributing factors included Luxembourg's small size and reliance on a highly skilled workforce, which can limit opportunities for less experienced youth. Additionally, the country's economic policies and demographic trends played a role in shaping the employment landscape for young people.

12

Myanmar

In 2003, Myanmar had a Youth Unemployment Rate of 1.35 %, ranking #183 out of 186 countries. This figure is notably lower than many neighboring countries, reflecting a unique demographic landscape where a significant portion of the youth population is engaged in informal employment rather than traditional job markets. Contributing factors include limited economic opportunities due to longstanding political instability and a lack of investment in job creation and vocational training programs.

13

Finland

In 2003, Finland had a Youth Unemployment Rate of 28.102 %, ranking #30 out of 186 countries. This rate was notably higher than the European Union average, reflecting significant challenges in the labor market for young people. Contributing factors included a transition in the economy from traditional industries to technology and services, which created a skills mismatch for many young job seekers.

14

Equatorial Guinea

In 2003, Equatorial Guinea had a Youth Unemployment Rate of 15.098%, ranking #89 out of 186 countries. This rate is notably higher than the global average, reflecting challenges in job creation for young people in the region. The country's reliance on oil revenues has led to economic volatility, limiting opportunities in other sectors and contributing to a lack of diversified employment options for youth.

15

Argentina

In 2003, Argentina had a Youth Unemployment Rate of 32.924%, ranking #26 out of 186 countries. This figure was notably higher than the global average, reflecting significant challenges in the labor market. The economic crisis of the early 2000s, characterized by high inflation and a lack of investment, severely impacted job creation for young people, exacerbating unemployment rates in this demographic.

16

China, Macao SAR

In 2003, China, Macao SAR recorded a youth unemployment rate of 11.813%, ranking #114 out of 186 countries. This figure is notably higher than the global average, reflecting challenges faced by young job seekers in the region. Key drivers include a rapidly changing economy transitioning from tourism and gaming to a more diversified market, alongside a youth demographic that has outpaced job creation in emerging sectors.

17

Nicaragua

Nicaragua's Youth Unemployment Rate in 2003 was 12.021 %, ranking it #109 out of 186 countries. This rate is relatively high compared to neighboring countries like Costa Rica, which has a lower youth unemployment rate, indicating regional economic challenges.

Key factors contributing to Nicaragua's youth unemployment include a struggling economy, high levels of poverty, and limited job opportunities for young people, exacerbated by political instability and a lack of investment in education and vocational training.

Data Source

Youth unemployment rate

Our World in Data is an online publication that presents empirical research and data on global issues. The "Youth unemployment rate" dataset offers country-level statistics on the unemployment rates specifically for young people, allowing for comparative analysis across different nations and time periods.

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Historical Data by Year

Explore Youth Unemployment Rate data across different years. Compare trends and see how statistics have changed over time.

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