- New report highlights significant youth NEET rates, regional and gender disparities, and rising anxiety among young people about employment, despite positive global youth unemployment trends.
GENEVA, Switzerland – The latest report underscores improvements in the global labour market for youth over the past four years, with a promising outlook for the next two years.
However, the report reveals a troubling number of 15- to 24-year-olds who are not engaged in employment, education, or training (NEET), indicating that the post-COVID-19 recovery has not been evenly distributed. Young individuals in specific regions and young women, in particular, are missing out on the benefits of economic recovery.
In 2023, the youth unemployment rate stands at 13 percent, affecting 64.9 million individuals, marking a 15-year low and a decline from the pre-pandemic rate of 13.8 percent in 2019. Projections suggest this rate could further decrease to 12.8 percent this year and next. Yet, this improvement is not universal, with regions such as the Arab States, East Asia, and Southeast Asia and the Pacific reporting higher youth unemployment rates than in 2019.
The report also highlights various challenges faced by young individuals as they try to enter the job market. Alarmingly, about 20.4 percent of youth globally were NEET in 2023, with two-thirds of these being young women. Additionally, opportunities for decent jobs remain scarce in emerging and developing economies.
For those who are employed, the report indicates a lack of decent job opportunities. More than half of young workers globally are in informal employment. In high- and upper-middle-income economies, most young workers hold regular, secure jobs, while three out of four young workers in low-income countries are confined to temporary or self-employed positions.
Continuing high NEET rates and the slow growth of decent jobs are contributing to increasing anxiety among educated youth regarding their future.
“A stable future is unattainable when millions of young people around the globe lack decent work, leading to insecurity and difficulty in improving their lives and those of their families,” noted the director-general of the organization.
Furthermore, young men have fared better in the labour market recovery compared to young women. The youth unemployment rates for both genders were nearly equal in 2023, but the global NEET rate for young women was double that of young men.
“This report highlights the stark inequalities in opportunities for young people. Many young women and those from disadvantaged backgrounds continue to face significant barriers. Equal access to education and decent jobs is essential for creating a better future,” the director-general emphasized.
The report advocates for enhanced focus on establishing decent work conditions as a means to alleviate youth anxieties about employment and foster hope for a better future.
Young individuals are encouraged to voice their demands for change: “You can influence policy and advocate for decent work for all. Be aware of your rights and continue to develop your skills. Your participation is vital for fostering social justice and inclusion.”
This edition commemorates 20 years of the report, reflecting on advancements in the working conditions for youth and addressing future employment prospects amid current global crises.
Key findings on long-term trends include:
- Limited growth in modern services and manufacturing jobs for youth, though digitalization and AI could modernize traditional sectors.
- Insufficient high-skill job opportunities for the increasing supply of educated youth, especially in middle-income countries.
- Keeping pace with the demand for green and digital skills will be essential to alleviate educational mismatches.
- Rising conflicts pose a threat to the future livelihoods of young people, potentially driving them towards migration or extremism.
- Addressing demographic changes, particularly the ‘youthquake’ in Africa, is critical for achieving social justice and a stable global economy.
The report calls for enhanced and targeted investments aimed at job creation for young women, better support systems for young people transitioning in the labour market, integrated employment and social protection initiatives, and collaborative efforts to combat global inequalities.
