Youth Struggle Despite Decreasing Unemployment Rates

News Desk

New York: Despite a 15-year low in global youth unemployment, many young people, particularly in Asia, the Pacific region, and the Arab States, are not benefiting from the post-COVID economic recovery, according to a new report from the International Labour Organization (ILO).

The Geneva-based ILO highlighted that while the global youth unemployment rate fell to 13 percent in 2023—a decrease from pre-pandemic levels and expected to continue falling in 2024 and 2025—the recovery has been uneven.

Regions such as East Asia (up 4.3%), the Arab States (up 1%), and South-East Asia and the Pacific (up 1%) have seen rising youth unemployment rates.

A significant concern is the high number of young people who are neither employed, in education, nor in training (NEETs). Over one in five young people globally fell into this category last year, with young women facing greater challenges; two-thirds of young NEETs are female.

The ILO report also reveals that finding decent and secure employment is increasingly difficult. Approximately 65 million young people were unemployed last year, and many of those employed are in temporary positions without social protection. In low-income countries, only one in four young workers has a regular and secure job, compared to three in four in wealthier countries.

Despite being the most educated youth cohort ever, two-thirds of young people fear job loss. The ILO emphasized that decent work is crucial for a brighter future and for promoting social justice and peace.

Gender bias remains a significant issue in the labor market, with young women facing higher NEET rates.

In 2023, the global NEET rate for young women was more than double that of young men—28.1 percent compared to 13.1 percent. Although youth unemployment rates for both genders were nearly equal in 2023, with 12.9 percent for young women and 13 percent for young men, young women continue to face greater barriers.

ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo stressed that unequal opportunities persist, with young women, those from minority backgrounds, and those with limited financial means struggling the most. He called for urgent action to provide equal opportunities for education and decent jobs to ensure a stable future for all young people.