Young workers face very different job markets across countries
Finding work as a young adult remains much harder in some economies than others. The chart compares unemployment rates for people aged 15 to 24 across selected OECD countries.
The pattern is highly uneven. Southern European countries report extremely high youth unemployment, while several northern economies maintain relatively low rates.
Spain records the highest youth unemployment
Spain leads the chart with a youth unemployment rate of 26.5%, the highest among the countries shown.
Greece follows closely at 24.2%, while Italy records 21.8%. These figures mean that more than one in five young people in these countries are unemployed.
France also remains elevated at 16.9%, though notably below the levels seen in Spain and Greece.
At the other end, Japan reports the lowest youth unemployment rate at just 4.2%. Germany also performs relatively well at 6.1%.
The gap between Spain and Japan exceeds 22 percentage points, showing how sharply youth labor market conditions differ across OECD economies.
Mid-range countries show more stable labor markets
The United States sits at 8.9%, while the Netherlands records 8.7%. These rates are noticeably lower than much of Southern Europe but still above Germany and Japan.
This middle group suggests that youth employment conditions can remain manageable even during broader economic uncertainty.
The overall distribution also shows that the highest unemployment rates are concentrated in a smaller number of countries rather than spread evenly across the OECD.
Why youth unemployment differs so much
Youth unemployment is often influenced by economic growth, labor market flexibility, education systems, and hiring practices.
Countries with rigid labor markets or slower economic growth can make it harder for younger workers to enter stable employment. Temporary contracts and limited entry-level opportunities can also increase youth unemployment.
Meanwhile, countries like Germany and Japan benefit from stronger school-to-work transition systems and more stable labor demand.
What this means for young workers
The data highlights how location can significantly affect career opportunities for young adults. In some countries, entering the workforce remains extremely difficult even when broader unemployment levels are lower.
High youth unemployment can delay financial independence, reduce long-term earnings potential, and weaken economic mobility.
The broader takeaway is clear. Youth unemployment remains a serious structural challenge in several OECD economies, particularly in Southern Europe.
Dataset
Data Sources
Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (2025). Youth unemployment rate by age group. OECD Employment and Labor Market Statistics Database. https://data.oecd.org/unemp/youth-unemployment-rate.htm
