Graph and download economic data for Youth Unemployment Rate for Nigeria (SLUEM1524ZSNGA) from 1991 to 2024 about Nigeria, 15 to 24 years, unemployment, and rate.

In 2024, the unemployment rate in Nigeria amounted to 2.99 percent. Between 1991 and 2024, the figure dropped by 0.86 percentage points, though the decline followed an uneven course rather than a steady trajectory.

Stopa bezrobocia wśród młodzieży w Nigerii spadła do 6,50 procent w drugim kwartale 2024 roku z 8,40 procent w pierwszym kwartale 2024 roku. Ta strona zawiera - Stopa bezrobocia wśród młodzieży w Nigerii - rzeczywiste wartości, dane historyczne, prognozy, wykres, statystyki, kalendarz ekonomiczny i wiadomości.

In 2022, the unemployment rate in Nigeria is estimated to reach ** percent. This figure was projected to at **** percent in the preceding year.

Chronological data show that the unemployment rate in Nigeria rose constantly in the past years. In the fourth quarter of 2020, over ** percent of the labor force was unemployed, according to the Nigerian methodology.

Nigeria: Unemployment rate: The latest value from 2024 is 2.99 percent, a decline from 3.07 percent in 2023. In comparison, the world average is 6.80 percent, based on data from 176 countries. Historically, the average for Nigeria from 1991 to 2024 is 4.04 percent. The minimum value, 2.99 percent, was reached in 2024 while the maximum of 5.74 percent was recorded in 2020.

Key information about Nigeria Unemployment Rate

• Nigeria Unemployment Rate dropped to 4.10% in Mar 2023, from the previously reported figure of 5.30% in Dec 2022.
• Nigeria Unemployment Rate is updated quarterly, available from Dec 2022 to Mar 2023, with an average rate of 4.70%.
• The data reached an all-time high of 5.30% in Dec 2022 and a record low of 4.10% in Mar 2023.
• The data is reported by reported by CEIC Data.
• In the latest reports, Nigeria Population reached 211.49 million people in Dec 2021.

In 2024, the estimated youth unemployment rate in Nigeria was at almost 5.05 percent. According to the source, the data are estimates from the International Labour Organization, an agency of the United Nations developing policies to set labor standards. Employment in Nigeria The youth unemployment rate refers to the percentage of the unemployed in the age group of 15 to 24 years as compared to the total labor force. Youth unemployment rates are often higher than overall unemployment rates, which is true in Nigeria as well: the general rate of unemployment was approximately six percent in 2018. One reason for this contrast is that many of the youth under age 24 are studying full-time and are unavailable for work due to this. Education in Nigeria Nigeria’s population has a large percentage of young inhabitants, and there is a high demand for educational opportunities for its young populace. After severe cuts in governmental aid following a nationwide recession in 2016, Nigeria’s underfunded higher education system became the focus of ongoing student protests and strikes. Other families have taken a different approach: Nigeria is the top country of origin for international students from the continent of Africa. For example, Nigeria sent over 12,600 students to the U.S. in 2017/18, the most of any African country.

Nigeria Unemployment Rate: 55 to 64 Years data was reported at 2.000 % in Jun 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 1.500 % for Mar 2024. Nigeria Unemployment Rate: 55 to 64 Years data is updated quarterly, averaging 1.900 % from Dec 2022 (Median) to Jun 2024, with 7 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.100 % in Dec 2023 and a record low of 1.500 % in Mar 2024. Nigeria Unemployment Rate: 55 to 64 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Nigeria – Table NG.G003: Unemployment Rate: New Methodology.

As of 2023, the State of Abia, registered the highest unemployment rate in Nigeria, at nearly 19 percent. This was followed by FCT and Rivers with rates reaching 13 percent and 14 prcent, respectively. In contrast, Lagos state achieved the lowest unemployment rate, at 5.5 percent.

Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) (national estimate) in Nigeria was reported at 4.073 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Nigeria - Unemployment, female (national estimate) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.

Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate) in Nigeria was reported at 5.183 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Nigeria - Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.

In the fourth of 2020, the unemployment rate in Nigeria reached 33.28 percent. Between 2015 and 2020, the unemployment rate grew. In particular, in 2017 the unemployment rate registered the fastest growth, increasing by about six percentage points during the year. However, this data were calculated according to the Nigerian methodology. Based on the most common international methodology, the unemployment rate in Nigeria stood at 17.5 percent. The NEW Nigeria methodology defines as unemployed labor force who did not work at all or worked for less than 20 hours a week. The international definition, instead, include people aged 15 years to 64 years old who were available for work, actively seeking work, but were unable to find work.

Nigeria: Unemployment rate for males: The latest value from 2024 is 2.04 percent, a decline from 2.1 percent in 2023. In comparison, the world average is 6.29 percent, based on data from 176 countries. Historically, the average for Nigeria from 1991 to 2024 is 4.01 percent. The minimum value, 2.04 percent, was reached in 2024 while the maximum of 5.47 percent was recorded in 2019.

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

Nigeria Unemployment Rate: 15 to 24 Years data was reported at 6.500 % in Jun 2024. This records a decrease from the previous number of 8.400 % for Mar 2024. Nigeria Unemployment Rate: 15 to 24 Years data is updated quarterly, averaging 8.300 % from Dec 2022 (Median) to Jun 2024, with 7 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 10.100 % in Dec 2023 and a record low of 6.500 % in Jun 2024. Nigeria Unemployment Rate: 15 to 24 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Nigeria – Table NG.G003: Unemployment Rate: New Methodology.

View yearly updates and historical trends for Nigeria Unemployment Rate. Source: World Bank. Track economic data with YCharts analytics.

Nigeria: Unemployment rate forecast: The latest value from 2018 is 22.56 percent, an increase from 17.46 percent in 2017. In comparison, the world average is 7.85 percent, based on data from 112 countries. Historically, the average for Nigeria from 2010 to 2018 is 11.31 percent. The minimum value, 5.09 percent, was reached in 2010 while the maximum of 22.56 percent was recorded in 2018.

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

In the fourth quarter of 2020, the unemployment rate in Nigeria reached 17.5 percent, according to the international methodology. The most affected group was those of individuals who achieved the Certificate of Education, the Ordinary National Diploma, or nursing school (roughly 29 percent). On the other hand, the lowest figure were registered among individuals who achieved the a vocational or commercial trainings.

The NEW Nigeria methodology defines as unemployed labor force who did not work at all or worked for less than 20 hours a week. The international definition, instead, include people aged 15 years to 64 years old who were available for work, actively seeking work, but were unable to find work.

Unemployment with advanced education (% of total labor force with advanced education) in Nigeria was reported at 6.168 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Nigeria - Unemployment with advanced education (% of total unemployment) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.