What the youth unemployment rate measures

The youth unemployment rate is the percentage of people aged 16 to 24 who are actively looking for work but cannot find it. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks this number monthly and publishes it alongside the overall national unemployment rate. Unlike the general rate, which includes all working-age adults, the youth rate isolates a specific age group because young people face different labor market conditions — they have less work history, are more likely to be in school part-time, and often enter and exit the job market seasonally.

The youth rate is always higher than the overall national rate. This happens because young workers change jobs more often, take longer to find their first position, and are more likely to be laid off during economic downturns. Understanding this rate matters if you are a young person looking for work, a parent trying to understand your teenager's job prospects, or someone researching how economic conditions affect different age groups.

Key Takeaways

  • Youth unemployment (ages 16–24) is consistently higher than the national average because young workers have less experience and are often the first hired and first fired during economic shifts.
  • The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes the youth rate monthly in the same report as the overall national rate, and you can find historical data going back decades on their website.
  • Youth unemployment rises sharply during recessions and falls during periods of strong job growth, making it a sensitive indicator of economic health.
  • Race, education level, and whether a young person is in school all affect individual unemployment rates within the 16–24 age group.

How the youth rate is calculated and reported

The Bureau of Labor Statistics surveys about 60,000 households each month through the Current Population Survey. Interviewers ask whether household members aged 16 and older worked in the past week, looked for work in the past four weeks, and why they are not working. From these responses, the bureau calculates unemployment rates for different age groups, including youth aged 16 to 24.

A person counts as unemployed only if they did not work during the survey week, looked for a job in the past four weeks, and were available to start work. Students who are not looking for work do not count as unemployed, even if they are not employed. The monthly report comes out on the first Friday of each month and includes data from the previous month. Historical data — going back to 1948 for the overall rate and to the 1950s for age-specific rates — is available free on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website.

Why youth unemployment is higher than the national average

Young workers face structural disadvantages in the labor market. They have no work history or references, so employers often pass them over for candidates with experience. They are also more likely to work in industries with high turnover — retail, food service, hospitality — where layoffs happen frequently and seasonally. During recessions, these industries contract first, so young workers bear a disproportionate share of job losses.

School enrollment also affects the youth rate. Young people who are in school full-time and not looking for work do not count as unemployed. But those who are in school part-time and looking for work do count, which can push the youth rate higher during the academic year. Summer months sometimes show lower youth unemployment because students leave school temporarily and enter the job market, though this pattern varies year to year.

Historical trends in youth unemployment

The youth unemployment rate has ranged from around 8 percent in strong economic years to over 20 percent during severe recessions. The 2008 financial crisis pushed the youth rate to its highest level in decades — above 19 percent — because young workers were laid off in large numbers and new graduates could not find entry-level positions. The rate fell steadily from 2010 through 2019, reaching around 8 to 9 percent by 2019.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused another sharp spike in 2020, with the youth rate climbing above 16 percent in some months. Recovery was faster than after 2008, and by 2022 the rate had returned to pre-pandemic levels. These swings show that youth unemployment is sensitive to economic conditions — it rises faster and falls faster than the overall rate, making it a useful early indicator of whether the economy is strengthening or weakening.

Differences within the youth age group

The 16–24 age range includes very different populations: high school students working part-time, college students, recent graduates, and young adults in their first full-time jobs. Unemployment rates vary significantly within this group. Teenagers aged 16–17 typically have higher unemployment rates than young adults aged 20–24, partly because they have less work experience and are more likely to be in school. Young adults who have completed college have lower unemployment rates than those who did not finish high school.

Race and ethnicity also affect youth unemployment rates. Black and Hispanic young people consistently experience higher unemployment rates than white and Asian young people, a gap that persists across economic cycles. These differences reflect both discrimination in hiring and differences in access to education, networks, and job search resources. The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes breakdowns by race, ethnicity, education level, and school enrollment status, so you can see how conditions vary for different groups of young workers.

Where to find current and historical youth unemployment data

The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes the youth unemployment rate on its main website at bls.gov. The monthly employment report, released on the first Friday of each month, includes a section on unemployment rates by age. You can also access the Labor Force Statistics database, which lets you search for historical data by age group, time period, and demographic characteristics. The data is free and requires no registration.

If you want to track the rate over time, the bureau's "Employment Situation" report includes a table showing unemployment rates for different age groups going back several years. For longer historical trends, the "Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey" database allows you to read data in spreadsheet format. Many news outlets and economic research organizations also publish summaries and analysis of the youth rate when the monthly report comes out, which can help you understand what the numbers mean for the broader economy.

What youth unemployment rates tell you about the economy

Because young workers are often the first to lose jobs during downturns and the first to be hired during recoveries, the youth unemployment rate can signal economic trouble before it shows up in the overall rate. A rising youth rate often means employers are cutting back on hiring and training new workers, which suggests economic weakness ahead. A falling youth rate suggests confidence and growth, because businesses are willing to invest in workers with less experience.

If you are a young person looking for work, a high youth unemployment rate does not mean you cannot find a job — it means the competition is stiffer and the search may take longer. If you are a parent or educator, the rate provides context for understanding how straightforward or difficult it is for young people in your area to find work. If you are researching economic trends, the youth rate is one of several indicators that together paint a picture of labor market health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the youth unemployment rate the same in every state?

No. The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes a national youth unemployment rate, but rates vary by state and sometimes by metropolitan area. Some states have stronger job markets for young workers than others, depending on local industries, population, and economic conditions. You can find state-level data on the bureau's website, though it is updated less frequently than the national rate.

Does the youth unemployment rate include people in college?

Only if they are looking for work. College students who are not searching for a job do not count as unemployed, even if they are not working. College students who are looking for part-time or summer work and cannot find it do count. This is why the youth rate can fluctuate seasonally — more students enter the job market in summer, which can change the overall rate.

Why is youth unemployment so much higher than adult unemployment?

Young workers have no job history, so employers often prefer experienced candidates. They also work in industries with high turnover and seasonal layoffs. During recessions, these industries shrink first, so young workers lose jobs faster. Additionally, some young people are still in school and may be looking for part-time work, which adds to the count of unemployed youth.

Can I use the youth unemployment rate to predict if I will find a job?

The rate tells you how competitive the job market is for your age group, but it does not predict your individual outcome. A high rate means more competition and a longer search, but many young people still find work. Your own prospects depend on your skills, education, location, industry, and how you search. The rate is useful context, not a personal prediction.

How often is the youth unemployment rate updated?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics releases updated youth unemployment data every month, on the first Friday of the month. The data reflects the previous month's conditions. Historical data is available going back decades, so you can see how the rate has changed over time and compare current conditions to past periods.