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Afghanistan Youth unemployment (15-24) 2026: Interactive Chart & Historical Data

Youth unemployment (15-24) in Afghanistan stood at 16.79% in 2025, according to World Bank. The latest value is down 0.45 percentage points from 17.24% in 2024. Ten years earlier, in 2015, the value was 12.53% (up 4.25 percentage points since). The highest value since 1991 was 17.54% in 2022, the lowest 10.04% in 2010. Afghanistan ranked 64th highest of the 182 countries in this dataset in 2025; Djibouti ranked first.

Data source: World Bank · Unit: % · Category: Labor and Employment · Explore more indicators on EconDash

Data updated:Last checked:Frequency:AnnualCoverage:1991–2025
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What is Youth unemployment (15-24)?

Youth unemployment (15-24), measured in %, reflects labor market conditions in Afghanistan, indicating the balance between available workers and job openings. It serves as a crucial signal of economic health, consumer spending capacity, and social stability. Labor market data typically includes multiple dimensions: unemployment rates, employment-to-population ratios, labor force participation, and wage growth. Each metric captures different aspects of job market dynamics — for example, the unemployment rate counts only those actively seeking work, while the participation rate reveals how many working-age people are engaged in the labor market. In Afghanistan, labor statistics are gathered through household surveys, employer reports, and administrative records like unemployment benefit claims. Changes in Youth unemployment (15-24) often precede broader economic shifts: rising unemployment typically signals slowing economic activity, while tightening labor markets may foreshadow wage pressures and inflation.

Key facts

What is the latest Youth unemployment (15-24) in Afghanistan?

Youth unemployment (15-24) in Afghanistan stood at 16.79% in 2025, according to World Bank.

Is Youth unemployment (15-24) in Afghanistan rising or falling?

The latest value is down 0.45 percentage points from 17.24% in 2024. Ten years earlier, in 2015, the value was 12.53% (up 4.25 percentage points since).

How does Afghanistan rank for Youth unemployment (15-24)?

Afghanistan ranked 64th highest of the 182 countries in this dataset in 2025; Djibouti ranked first.

What is the highest Youth unemployment (15-24) on record in Afghanistan?

The highest value since 1991 was 17.54% in 2022, the lowest 10.04% in 2010.

Metadata for Youth unemployment (15-24) in Afghanistan
IndicatorYouth unemployment (15-24)
CountryAfghanistan
CategoryLabor and Employment
Unit%
SourceWorld Bank
Interactive chartView on EconDash
API accessEconDash API documentation

Current rate: 16.79% (2025)

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Cite this chart
APA

World Bank. (2026). Youth unemployment (15-24) — Afghanistan [Data set]. Retrieved November 8, 2026, from EconDash: https://econdash.org/chart/youth-unemployment-15-24/AFG. Original source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.UEM.1524.ZS

MLA

World Bank. "Youth unemployment (15-24) — Afghanistan." EconDash, 2026, https://econdash.org/chart/youth-unemployment-15-24/AFG. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026. Original source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.UEM.1524.ZS.

Chicago

World Bank. 2026. "Youth unemployment (15-24) — Afghanistan." EconDash. Accessed November 8, 2026. https://econdash.org/chart/youth-unemployment-15-24/AFG. Original source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.UEM.1524.ZS.

BibTeX
@misc{econdash_youth_unemployment_15_24_afg,
  author = {{World Bank}},
  title = {{Youth unemployment (15-24) --- Afghanistan}},
  howpublished = {EconDash},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://econdash.org/chart/youth-unemployment-15-24/AFG},
  note = {Accessed: 2026-11-08. Original source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.UEM.1524.ZS}
}