Youth unemployment (15-24) in Mauritius
Unemployment among young people aged 15 to 24: those leaving school, college or university.
Where it stands
About 1 in 6 young job-seekers is unemployed: roughly three times the overall rate.
What it means
Young people face a double mismatch: many qualifications do not fit the jobs on offer, and many good jobs require experience. This gap is one of the main push factors behind the brain drain: those who cannot start a career at home often start it abroad.
Recent years
| Year | Youth unemployment (15-24) |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 25.4% |
| 2022 | 22.3% |
| 2023 | 16.4% |
| 2024 | 16.5% |
| 2025 | 17.4% |
Why it moved
2021: One in four young job-seekers could not find work during the pandemic.
2022: Improved as hospitality, the biggest entry-level employer, reopened.
2023: A big improvement to about 16%.
2024: Flat.
2025: Edged up as hiring slowed.