Sri Lanka—Youth Unemployment (%)
Category: LaborSource: World Bank World Development IndicatorsGlobal Rank: #58 of 187
Latest Value
18.6%
2025
YoY Change
-2.5%
2024 → 2025
Global Rank
#58
of 187 countries
Maximum
28.5%
2002
Minimum
16.8%
2011
CAGR
-1.0%
26 years
Last
18.6%
Previous
19.1%
Highest
28.5%
Lowest
16.8%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 18.6% | -2.5% |
| 2024 | 19.1% | -6.3% |
| 2023 | 20.3% | -6.4% |
| 2022 | 21.7% | -14.3% |
| 2021 | 25.4% | -0.3% |
| 2020 | 25.4% | +24.6% |
| 2019 | 20.4% | -0.3% |
| 2018 | 20.5% | +17.9% |
| 2017 | 17.4% | -13.3% |
| 2016 | 20.1% | +4.4% |
| 2015 | 19.2% | +2.4% |
| 2014 | 18.8% | +4.7% |
| 2013 | 17.9% | +6.8% |
| 2012 | 16.8% | +0.2% |
| 2011 | 16.8% | -10.3% |
| 2010 | 18.7% | -11.7% |
| 2009 | 21.2% | +12.9% |
| 2008 | 18.7% | -12.7% |
| 2007 | 21.5% | -3.0% |
| 2006 | 22.1% | -20.1% |
| 2005 | 27.7% | -2.1% |
| 2004 | 28.3% | +2.6% |
| 2003 | 27.6% | -3.4% |
| 2002 | 28.5% | +14.1% |
| 2001 | 25.0% | +5.1% |
| 2000 | 23.8% |
Top Countries — Youth Unemployment (%)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Djibouti | 76.8% | 2025 |
| 2 | South Africa | 59.9% | 2025 |
| 3 | Eswatini | 54.3% | 2025 |
| 4 | Libya | 50.1% | 2025 |
| 5 | Botswana | 46.0% | 2025 |
| 6 | St. Vincent and the Grenadines | 41.9% | 2025 |
| 7 | Congo, Rep. | 40.5% | 2025 |
| 8 | Jordan | 38.9% | 2025 |
| 9 | Tunisia | 38.1% | 2025 |
| 10 | Namibia | 38.0% | 2025 |
About This Indicator
Definition
Youth unemployment refers to the share of the labor force ages 15-24 without work but available for and seeking employment.
Methodology
Data compiled by ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO), uri: https://ilostat.ilo.org/data/bulk/, publisher: ILOSTAT, type: external database, date accessed: January 17, 2026.
Source: World Bank - World Development IndicatorsView original source →