Published: October 24, 2026
5 Key Facts
- Djibouti has Africa's highest youth unemployment rate. In 2025, 76.8% of Djibouti's young labour force was unemployed. That means more than three in four young people who were available for work and looking for it could not find a job.
- South Africa is second, and the gap to the rest is large. Its youth unemployment rate is 59.9%. Eswatini follows at 54.3%, and Libya at 50.1%. Those four countries are the only ones in Africa where half or more of the young labour force is unemployed.
- Youth rates run far above overall rates. In every country in the top 10, the youth rate is roughly double the overall unemployment rate, or more. In Libya, the youth rate (50.1%) is nearly three times the overall rate (18.8%). Young jobseekers face a much harder market than older workers.
- Southern Africa accounts for four of the top 10. South Africa, Eswatini, Botswana and Namibia are all in Southern Africa. The pattern points to economies that are not creating formal jobs fast enough for their young populations.
- Low youth unemployment does not always mean good jobs. Many countries with low measured youth unemployment have large informal economies. Young people there often cannot afford to stay unemployed, so they take informal or unstable work instead. The unemployment rate alone does not capture job quality.
The big picture: this ranking uses one measure for every country, so the comparison is fair. It is the youth unemployment rate for ages 15 to 24, from the International Labour Organization (ILO) modelled estimates published by the World Bank. The latest year available is 2025, and that is the year ranked here in this 2026 edition. The result is stark: in Djibouti, three in four young jobseekers are out of work, and in South Africa, nearly six in ten are. For the all-ages picture, see our 2026 ranking of Africa's highest overall unemployment rates, where Eswatini leads. For what young workers earn when they do find work, see our 2026 minimum wage ranking for every African country.
| # | Country | Youth unemployment 2025 (%) | Supporting fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Djibouti | 76.77 | Overall unemployment 26.0%; 46.2% of ages 16 to 24 are not in education, employment or training |
| 2 | South Africa | 59.93 | Overall unemployment 32.4%; Stats SA reported 59.6% for ages 15 to 24 in early 2025 |
| 3 | Eswatini | 54.33 | Overall unemployment 34.2%, the highest overall rate in Africa in 2025 |
| 4 | Libya | 50.06 | Overall unemployment 18.8%; youth rate is nearly three times the overall rate |
| 5 | Botswana | 46.00 | Overall unemployment 24.5%; youth rate is nearly double the overall rate |
| 6 | Congo, Rep. | 40.50 | Overall unemployment 19.9%; youth rate is about double the overall rate |
| 7 | Tunisia | 38.08 | Overall unemployment 15.1%; edges Namibia by 0.03 points in unrounded data |
| 8 | Namibia | 38.05 | Overall unemployment 19.3%; both Tunisia and Namibia round to 38.1% at one decimal |
| 9 | Gabon | 36.28 | Overall unemployment 20.2%; youth rate is well above the overall rate |
| 10 | Somalia | 34.23 | Overall unemployment 18.9%; youth rate is about 1.8 times the overall rate |
Youth unemployment figures are the World Bank's "Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) (modeled ILO estimate)", for 2025, accessed October 24, 2026. The table shows the values as published to two decimals, so the order of Tunisia (38.08%) ahead of Namibia (38.05%) is visible. At one decimal, both round to 38.1%. See Methodology for the full ranking basis and for the three countries with no 2025 value.
Selected Details
1. Djibouti: more than three in four young jobseekers are out of work
Djibouti's youth unemployment rate of 76.77% is the highest in Africa, and the highest in the world on this measure. The figure comes from the ILO modelled estimates published by the World Bank, and it is confirmed by Macrotrends, which also reports 76.77% for 2025, up from 76.49% in 2024. Djibouti's overall unemployment rate is 26.0%, which is high, but the youth rate is nearly three times higher. A World Bank economic report cited in June 2026 found that 46.2% of people aged 16 to 24 in Djibouti were not in education, employment or training. That measure is called NEET, and it captures young people who have stopped looking for work as well as those still searching. (World Bank: Youth unemployment, modeled ILO estimate, Macrotrends: Djibouti youth unemployment rate, Dawan Africa: Djibouti seeks expanded ILO partnership on youth employment)
2. South Africa: nearly six in ten young jobseekers are unemployed
South Africa's youth unemployment rate is 59.93% in the ILO modelled estimates for 2025. That is close to the figure from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), which reported 59.6% for ages 15 to 24 in its Quarterly Labour Force Survey in early 2025. The two sources use different methods, so a small gap is normal, but they tell the same story. South Africa's overall unemployment rate is 32.4% in 2025, the second highest overall rate in Africa after Eswatini. Young people therefore face a market almost twice as tough as the average worker. South Africa has the largest youth population in the top 10 in absolute terms, so the number of young people affected is very large. (World Bank: Youth unemployment, modeled ILO estimate, MyPR: Youth unemployment grips South Africa, TradeAnswers: South African unemployment rate by year)
3. Eswatini: the worst overall rate, and the third worst youth rate
Eswatini's youth unemployment rate is 54.33% in 2025. Its overall unemployment rate is 34.2%, the highest overall rate in Africa in 2025, which is why Eswatini leads our 2026 ranking of overall unemployment rates. Eswatini is a small economy, so its labour market is thin: there are few large employers, and formal jobs are scarce. Young people who finish school often find that the formal sector cannot absorb them, and many turn to informal work or leave the country to look for work. The youth rate is about 1.6 times the overall rate, which is a smaller youth gap than in Libya or Tunisia, but the level itself is extreme. (World Bank: Youth unemployment, modeled ILO estimate, African Exponent: Highest unemployment rates in Africa in 2026)
4. Libya: half of young jobseekers are out of work
Libya's youth unemployment rate is 50.06% in 2025, just above the halfway mark. Its overall unemployment rate is 18.8%, so the youth rate is nearly three times the overall rate, the widest youth gap in the top 10 alongside Djibouti. Libya is an oil producer, but oil creates few jobs relative to its revenue, and years of conflict and political division have damaged the rest of the economy. Young Libyans entering the labour market therefore compete for a small pool of formal jobs, mostly in the public sector. The ILO modelled estimates are used here because Libya's own labour statistics are patchy, and the modelled series makes Libya comparable with other countries. (World Bank: Youth unemployment, modeled ILO estimate)
5. Botswana: a diamond economy with a youth jobs problem
Botswana's youth unemployment rate is 46.00% in 2025. Its overall unemployment rate is 24.5%, the fourth highest overall rate in Africa in 2025. Botswana is one of Africa's most stable economies, and diamonds fund a large share of government revenue, but mining employs relatively few people. The result is a familiar pattern in resource economies: strong national income, but too few jobs for school leavers and graduates. Botswana's youth rate is nearly double its overall rate, which shows that the jobs shortage falls hardest on the young. (World Bank: Youth unemployment, modeled ILO estimate)
6. Congo, Rep.: four in ten young jobseekers are unemployed
The Republic of Congo's youth unemployment rate is 40.50% in 2025. Its overall unemployment rate is 19.9%, so the youth rate is about double the overall rate. Congo is also an oil producer, and the same pattern applies: oil revenue does not translate into broad employment. Most formal jobs are in the public sector and in oil-related services, while most young people live outside those sectors. The ILO modelled series is used for Congo for the same reason as for Libya: it allows a fair comparison across countries with different national statistics. (World Bank: Youth unemployment, modeled ILO estimate)
7. Tunisia: North Africa's worst youth rate
Tunisia's youth unemployment rate is 38.08% in 2025, the highest in North Africa. Its overall unemployment rate is 15.1%, so the youth rate is about two and a half times the overall rate. Tunisia's economy has grown slowly for a decade, and graduates in particular struggle to find work that matches their qualifications. The ILO's Global Employment Trends for Youth brief puts North Africa's youth unemployment at 22.3% in 2025, so Tunisia sits far above its regional average. Tunisia edges Namibia for seventh place by only 0.03 points in the unrounded data. (World Bank: Youth unemployment, modeled ILO estimate, ILO: Global Employment Trends for Youth 2024, Middle East and North Africa brief)
8. Namibia: almost tied with Tunisia, and far above its own average
Namibia's youth unemployment rate is 38.05% in 2025. Its overall unemployment rate is 19.3%, so the youth rate is about double the overall rate. Namibia and Tunisia are effectively tied: Tunisia leads by 0.03 points, and both round to 38.1% at one decimal place. Namibia is a sparsely populated country with a mining and tourism economy, and formal jobs are concentrated in a few cities. Young people in rural areas face long distances to jobs and training, which adds to the barrier. (World Bank: Youth unemployment, modeled ILO estimate)
9. Gabon: oil wealth, limited youth jobs
Gabon's youth unemployment rate is 36.28% in 2025. Its overall unemployment rate is 20.2%, so the youth rate is about 1.8 times the overall rate. Gabon is the third oil producer in the top 10, after Libya and Congo, and it shows the same structure: high revenue per person, but a narrow formal job market. Gabon also appeared in our 2026 lowest-inflation ranking, which shows that price stability and job creation are different problems. A country can have calm prices and still fail to create jobs for its young people. (World Bank: Youth unemployment, modeled ILO estimate)
10. Somalia: more than a third of young jobseekers are unemployed
Somalia's youth unemployment rate is 34.23% in 2025. Its overall unemployment rate is 18.9%, so the youth rate is about 1.8 times the overall rate. Somalia's formal economy is small, and many young people work informally or in family businesses, which means the measured rate understates how many young people lack stable, paid work. Even so, more than a third of young people in the formal labour force are unemployed on the ILO measure. Somalia closes the top 10, ahead of Algeria (29.44%), Cabo Verde (28.41%) and Angola (27.23%), which just missed the list. (World Bank: Youth unemployment, modeled ILO estimate)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which African country has the highest youth unemployment in 2026?
Djibouti. In the latest ILO modelled estimates, for 2025, Djibouti's youth unemployment rate is 76.8% for ages 15 to 24. South Africa is second at 59.9%, and Eswatini is third at 54.3%. This is the 2026 edition of the ranking, using the latest available data year, 2025.
What does the youth unemployment rate actually measure?
It measures the share of the youth labour force that is without work but available for and seeking employment. The youth labour force means young people aged 15 to 24 who are either working or actively looking for work. Young people in school who are not looking for work are not counted, and neither are young people who have stopped looking. That is why the separate NEET measure, which counts young people not in education, employment or training, is often higher.
Why is Djibouti's youth unemployment rate so high?
Djibouti has a small formal economy, and most jobs are in the public sector, the port, and foreign military bases, which employ relatively few people. Its overall unemployment rate is already 26.0%, the third highest in Africa, and young people face an even tougher market. A World Bank report found that 46.2% of people aged 16 to 24 in Djibouti were not in education, employment or training, which shows the problem is wider than the unemployment rate alone.
Why do some African countries report very low youth unemployment?
In countries without unemployment benefits, most young people cannot afford to stay unemployed. They take informal work, family work, or subsistence farming instead, so they count as employed even if the work is unstable and poorly paid. Low measured youth unemployment therefore does not always mean good jobs. It often means that the informal economy absorbs young workers who would otherwise be counted as unemployed.
Did African Exponent rank overall unemployment rates too?
Yes. Our 2026 ranking of overall unemployment rates covers all ages, and Eswatini leads it at 34.2%. You can read it here: Highest Unemployment Rates in Africa in 2026. This youth ranking is different: it ranks only ages 15 to 24, and Libya and Tunisia appear high here even though their overall rates are lower.
Data Sources
- World Bank, World Development Indicators: Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) (modeled ILO estimate): 2025 values for all ranked countries (Djibouti 76.77 through Somalia 34.23; just missed: Algeria 29.44, Cabo Verde 28.41, Angola 27.23). Dataset last updated October 8, 2026. Accessed October 24, 2026.
- World Bank, World Development Indicators: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate): 2025 overall rates used as supporting facts (Djibouti 26.0, South Africa 32.4, Eswatini 34.2, Libya 18.8, Botswana 24.5, Congo Rep. 19.9, Tunisia 15.1, Namibia 19.3, Gabon 20.2, Somalia 18.9). Accessed October 24, 2026.
- Macrotrends: Djibouti youth unemployment rate: 76.77% in 2025, up from 76.49% in 2024 (World Bank / ILO modelled estimates). Accessed October 24, 2026.
- Dawan Africa: Djibouti seeks expanded ILO partnership on youth employment: World Bank report finding that 46.2% of people aged 16 to 24 in Djibouti were not in education, employment or training; youth unemployment about 76.5% in 2024. Published June 2026. Accessed October 24, 2026.
- MyPR: Youth unemployment grips South Africa: Stats SA Quarterly Labour Force Survey, 59.6% of ages 15 to 24 unemployed. Published March 2025. Accessed October 24, 2026.
- TradeAnswers: South African unemployment rate by year: Stats SA youth (15 to 24) rates, 60.2% in 2025 and 59.4% in 2026. Accessed October 24, 2026.
- ILO: Global Employment Trends for Youth 2024, Middle East and North Africa brief: North Africa youth unemployment 22.3% in 2025; source ILOSTAT, ILO modelled estimates. Accessed October 24, 2026.
Methodology
This ranking uses a single metric: the World Bank's "Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) (modeled ILO estimate)", indicator SL.UEM.1524.ZS, from the ILO modelled estimates. The values ranked here are for 2025, the latest year available in the World Bank dataset (last updated October 8, 2026), accessed October 24, 2026. The "2026" in the title marks this as the 2026 edition of African Exponent's annual ranking, published in 2026, not a claim that the data year is 2026.
The youth unemployment rate is the share of the youth labour force (ages 15 to 24) without work but available for and seeking employment. "Modelled" means the ILO estimates the series for each country from national surveys and comparable methods, so countries can be ranked on the same basis even where national statistics differ. No figures were estimated or invented by African Exponent. Tunisia (38.08%) and Namibia (38.05%) are not tied in the source data; Tunisia leads by 0.03 points, and both round to 38.1% at one decimal place.
Of Africa's 54 countries, 51 have a 2025 modelled youth value in the World Bank pull. Seychelles, South Sudan and Sudan have no 2025 value and are excluded from the ranking; no figure was estimated for them. Overall unemployment rates in the table are the same ILO modelled series for all ages (indicator SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS), for 2025, shown for context only and not used for the ranking.
Cover image: Students of the University of Ilorin, Nigeria. Photograph by Haylad, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).
