The International Labor Organization (ILO) released new data on the global job market, stating that millions of young people worldwide are facing barriers in their pursuit of decent employment.
In its report, the UN agency revealed that global youth unemployment decreased to 13% in 2023, below the pre-pandemic rate of 13.8% in 2019. However, the recovery has been uneven, with regions such as East Asia, the Arab States, and South-East Asia and the Pacific experiencing an increase in youth unemployment rates.
Sara Elder, the ILO Head of Employment Analyses and Public Policies, expressed concern over the fact that more than one in five young people were not employed, in education, or in training last year, a group referred to as “NEETs” by the ILO. She also noted that young women face a double challenge in staying in school or finding a job, as two out of every three NEETs are female.
The ILO also highlighted the difficulty in finding secure and decent jobs for young people, with an estimated 65 million young individuals without employment last year. Ms. Elder emphasized that the majority of young workers lack social protection and are in temporary positions, hindering their ability to become independent adults. In low-income countries, only one in four young workers have a regular and secure job, compared to three in four in wealthier nations.
The pressure to find work is a heavy burden for young people, with two out of three expressing fear of losing their job. Despite being the most educated youth cohort in history, Gen Z job seekers face challenges in securing employment, according to the ILO.
Ms. Elder urged for the creation of opportunities for a better future for young people through decent work, as it is a path to social justice, inclusion, and peace. She emphasized that the time to act is now.