In 2024, the estimated youth unemployment rate in India was at 16.03 percent. According to the source, the data are ILO estimates. For the past decade, India’s youth unemployment rate has been hovering around the 22 percent mark. What is the youth unemployment rate?The youth unemployment rate refers to those in the workforce who are aged 15 to 24 years and without a job, but actively seeking one. Generally, youth unemployment rates are higher than the adult unemployment rates, and India is no exception: youth unemployment in India is significantly higher than the national unemployment rate. The Indian workforce, young and oldIndia’s unemployment rate in general is not remarkably high when compared to those of other countries. Both India’s unemployment rate and youth unemployment rate are below their global equivalents. In a comparison of the Asia-Pacific region countries, India ranks somewhere in the middle, with Cambodia’s unemployment rate being estimated to be below one percent, and Afghanistan’s the highest at 8.8 percent.

Graph and download economic data for Youth Unemployment Rate for India (SLUEM1524ZSIND) from 1991 to 2024 about 15 to 24 years, India, unemployment, and rate.

Historical dataset showing India youth unemployment rate by year from 1991 to 2024.

As per the Periodic Labour Force Survey of 2024, the unemployment rate among individuals with secondary education and above was 7.1 percent, the highest among other levels of education. Although the unemployment rate within this category fell from the previous financial year. Potential of the education sectorIndia's education sector is estimated to be valued at around 117 billion U.S. dollars, and it is expected to grow to 225 billion U.S. dollars by 2025. It is a growing trend for many young Indians to attain two or three degrees in the hope of attaining a job. One of the largest young populations in the world presents a unique opportunity for the country in the education sector. Educated unemployed Youth unemployment in India was over 15 percent in 2023. This is despite the abundance of highly educated professionals. The data suggests a sharp mismatch between the skills of the labor force and job creation. The lack of jobs in the non-farm sector for the newly graduated young population is a major cause of worry for the Indian economy.

Actual value and historical data chart for India Unemployment Youth Total Percent Of Total Labor Force Ages 15 24

india - Youth Unemployment Rate for India was 16.03% in January of 2024, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, india - Youth Unemployment Rate for India reached a record high of 20.82 in January of 2021 and a record low of 15.66 in January of 2023. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for india - Youth Unemployment Rate for India - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

The statistic shows the unemployment rate in India from 1999 to 2024. In 2024, the unemployment rate in India was estimated to be 4.2 percent. India's economy in comparison to other BRIC states India possesses one of the fastest-growing economies in the world and as a result, India is recognized as one of the G-20 major economies as well as a member of the BRIC countries, an association that is made up of rapidly growing economies. As well as India, three other countries, namely Brazil, Russia and China, are BRIC members. India’s manufacturing industry plays a large part in the development of its economy; however its services industry is the most significant economical factor. The majority of the population of India works in this sector. India’s notable economic boost can be attributed to significant gains over the past decade in regards to the efficiency of the production of goods as well as maintaining relatively low debt, particularly when compared to the total amount earned from goods and services produced throughout the years. When considering individual development as a country, India progressed significantly over the years. However, in comparison to the other emerging countries in the BRIC group, India’s progress was rather minimal. While China experienced the most apparent growth, India’s efficiency and productivity remained somewhat stagnant over the course of 3 or 4 years. India also reported a rather large trade deficit over the past decade, implying that its total imports exceeded its total amount of exports, essentially forcing the country to borrow money in order to finance the nation. Most economists consider trade deficits a negative factor, especially in the long run and for developing or emerging countries.

The share of employable women in India in 2025 saw a decrease from the previous year. Men accounted for about ** percent of employability that year. In fact, a larger share of women than men have constituted India’s employable talent since 2020 until a drop in 2025. Employability refers to a person's ability to gain and maintain employment. India’s professional talent pool Indian corporations and employers found a rich supply of highly employable graduates in states such as Maharashtra and Delhi. The demand for professionals with a year or more of working experience outweighed that of graduates without experience, thus, driving up the preference for internships. Some of the most employable candidates in 2024 were graduates with degrees in engineering, business administration and computer applications. Employability does not translate to employment However, higher employability did not translate to employment as was indicated by the country’s youth unemployment rate. Gender gap in participation at work has also persisted over the years. In addition to skill training, more jobs need to be created to absorb the growing unemployed and underemployed youth.

Unemployment Rate: India's unemployment rate has been a significant concern, with fluctuations over the years. As of my last knowledge update in January 2022, the unemployment rate was around 6-7%.

Rural-Urban Disparities: Unemployment is often higher in rural areas compared to urban areas, where there are more employment opportunities.

Youth Unemployment: India has a significant issue of youth unemployment. A large portion of the population is under the age of 30, and providing employment opportunities for this demographic is a challenge.

Underemployment: Many individuals in India are also affected by underemployment, where they are employed in jobs that are below their skill levels and pay less than their qualifications.

Informal Sector: A substantial portion of India's workforce is engaged in the informal sector, which lacks job security and social benefits.

Gender Disparities: There are notable gender disparities in unemployment rates, with women often facing higher rates of unemployment compared to men.

Education and Unemployment: Higher education levels do not always guarantee employment in India, leading to a mismatch between skills and job opportunities.

Government Initiatives: The Indian government has launched various schemes and initiatives to address unemployment, such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and the Skill India program.

COVID-19 Impact: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on employment, leading to job losses and economic challenges.

As of March 2025, South Africa had the highest unemployment rate among the 19* countries that are members of the G20. The unemployment rate in South Africa stood at **** percent that year. The country has recently been plagued by an economic downturn, including energy shortages and high unemployment levels. On the other hand, Japan had the lowest unemployment rate at just *** percent. Economic inequality in South Africa Not only does South Africa top the G20 in overall unemployment, but it also has a significant level of youth unemployment, as nearly half of the young population is unemployed. Thirty years after the end of Apartheid, South Africa is also still one of the most unequal countries in the world, with a Gini score of ****. The prominence of inequality in the country makes escaping unemployment and underemployment difficult. Japanese economic slowdown While Japan had the lowest unemployment rate out of all G20 nations, as well as the lowest youth unemployment rate out of the G20 nations, Japan’s economy is still facing many challenges. With an aging population, the total Japanese population is facing a rapid decline, meaning that it will struggle to have enough workers participating in the labor market. Despite this, Japan maintains strict immigration policies, limiting the chances for foreign workers to move to Japan. Moreover, Japan has the second lowest fertility rate out of the G7 nations and one of the lowest fertility rates globally, adding another challenge in addressing population shrinkage.

The average for 2023 based on 177 countries was 15.77 percent. The highest value was in Djibouti: 76.27 percent and the lowest value was in Niger: 0.42 percent. The indicator is available from 1991 to 2024. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

With an unemployment rate of 14.1 percent, the urban areas of Himachal Pradesh had the highest unemployment rate in financial year 2023, followed by Andaman & Nicobar Islands. However, urban women had a higher unemployment rate than rural women in the country.

Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate) in India was reported at 15 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. India - Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on November of 2025.

In most G20 countries, labor force participation was higher among young men than among young women. The only exception was South Korea. On the other hand, the gap was highest in India, with a difference of around ** percentage points, underlining the more traditional role of women in the South Asian country. Meanwhile, South Africa was the G20 member with the highest youth unemployment rate.

Unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) (modeled ILO estimate) in India was reported at 17.57 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. India - Unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on November of 2025.

In 2025, the Masters of Business Administration domain had the highest employability rating among degree types in India at about ** percent, an increase from the previous year. The polytechnic domain had the lowest employability rate of around ** percent. What is employability? Employability refers to attributes that make an individual gain and maintain employment. This may include job-specific or soft skills. Higher employability is considered a precondition for achieving a higher employment rate. Although employability in India has increased to over ** percent from ** percent over a decade ago, there has remained a critical skill mismatch between education and skills. In other words, Indian graduates have been facing a disconnect between what is taught at colleges and what the industry demands. Enhancing employability through skill development Government initiatives like the National Skill Development Corporation and Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana aim to promote skill development in India. Public-private partnerships (PPP) have also been instrumental in making skill development initiatives effective in India. For example, TCS has partnered with educational institutions to provide vocational training in digital literacy and soft skills. Other industry giants like Samsung and IBM are planning to launch special training programs in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in collaboration with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).

Actual value and historical data chart for India Share Of Youth Not In Education Employment Or Training Male Percent Of Male Youth Population

Apprenticeship Matching Platforms Market Outlook

According to our latest research, the Global Apprenticeship Matching Platforms market size was valued at $1.2 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $4.9 billion by 2033, expanding at a CAGR of 17.2% during the forecast period 2025–2033. The primary factor propelling the growth of the Apprenticeship Matching Platforms market globally is the increasing emphasis on workforce development and skills alignment in response to rapidly evolving labor market demands. As industries worldwide face mounting pressure to bridge the skills gap and enhance employability, apprenticeship matching platforms have emerged as vital digital solutions connecting students, employers, and training providers. These platforms streamline the apprenticeship placement process, improve transparency, and foster more effective talent pipelines, helping organizations and individuals navigate the complexities of modern workforce requirements.

Regional Outlook

North America holds the largest share of the global Apprenticeship Matching Platforms market, accounting for approximately 38% of total market value in 2024. This dominance is attributed to the region’s mature digital infrastructure, strong policy support for apprenticeships, and the presence of leading technology providers. The United States, in particular, has been proactive in implementing workforce development initiatives, with federal and state-level incentives encouraging both employers and educational institutions to adopt digital apprenticeship solutions. Additionally, high internet penetration and widespread mobile device usage have accelerated the adoption of web-based and mobile-based platforms, further consolidating North America’s leadership position in the market. The region’s robust ecosystem of corporate partners, educational institutions, and government agencies fosters continuous innovation and collaboration, ensuring sustained market growth.

The Asia Pacific region is poised to be the fastest-growing market for Apprenticeship Matching Platforms, projected to expand at a remarkable CAGR of 21.5% from 2025 to 2033. This exceptional growth is driven by massive investments in digital infrastructure, government-led skills development programs, and a burgeoning youth population seeking employment opportunities. Countries like India, China, and Australia are witnessing a surge in demand for scalable, technology-driven apprenticeship solutions as they strive to address high youth unemployment rates and align educational outcomes with industry needs. The proliferation of mobile devices and affordable internet access has enabled greater reach and accessibility of apprenticeship platforms, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas. Strategic partnerships between global tech firms and local training providers are further catalyzing market expansion, making Asia Pacific a focal point for innovation and investment in this sector.

Emerging economies in Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa are gradually embracing Apprenticeship Matching Platforms, although adoption rates remain lower compared to developed regions. Key challenges include limited digital infrastructure, varying degrees of government support, and fragmented education-to-employment pathways. However, localized demand is rising as employers recognize the value of structured apprenticeship programs in addressing talent shortages and improving workforce readiness. Policy reforms and international collaborations are beginning to foster a more conducive environment for platform adoption, but market growth is tempered by infrastructural constraints and the need for greater awareness among end-users. As these regions continue to invest in digital transformation and skills development, the market is expected to witness steady, albeit slower, growth relative to more mature markets.

Report Scope

As of 2023, ***** had the highest NEET rate (people not in education, employment, or training) among young women, reaching over ** percent. On the other hand, ***** had the lowest female youth NEET rate of the G20 members. It also had the lowest male youth NEET rate, whereas ************ had the highest among men.

In the second quarter of 2024, the unemployment rate among Black South Africans was 36.9 percent, marking a year-on-year change of 0.8 percent compared to the second quarter of 2023. On the other hand, the unemployment rate among white South Africans was 7.9 percent in the second quarter of 2024, with a 0.5 percent year-on-year change. Unemployment prevalent among youth and women The unemployment rate is the share of the labor force population that is unemployed, while the labor force includes individuals who are employed as well as those who are unemployed but looking for work. South Africa is struggling to absorb its youth into the job market. For instance, the unemployment rate among young South Africans aged 15-24 years reached a staggering 60.7 percent in the second quarter of 2023. Furthermore, women had higher unemployment rates than men. Since the start of 2016, the unemployment rate of women has been consistently more than that of men, reaching close to 36 percent compared to 30 percent, respectively. A new minimum wage and most paying jobs      In South Africa, a new minimum hourly wage went into effect on March 1, 2022. The minimum salary reached 23.19 South African rand per hour (1.44 U.S. dollars per hour), up from 21.69 South African rand per hour (1.35 U.S. dollars per hour) in 2021. In addition, the preponderance of employed South Africans worked between 40 and 45 hours weekly in 2021. Individuals holding Executive Management and Change Management jobs were the highest paid in the country, with salaries averaging 74,000 U.S. dollars per year.