Youth Unemployment Is Rising Again

Youth unemployment worldwide rose to 12.4% in 2025, representing 67 million people aged 15 to 24. According to a report by the International Labour Organization (ILO), weak economic growth, geopolitical tensions and slow job creation have reversed post-pandemic improvements.

The proportion of young people not in employment, education or training rose to around 20%, representing more than 257 million people.

The situation worsened in eight of the world’s 11 subregions. The Arab States and North Africa were among the hardest hit, while North America also recorded an increase.

The ILO points to a sharp decline in medium-skilled administrative, commercial and manufacturing jobs, which have traditionally served as an entry point into the labor market for graduates.

At the same time, the labor market faces growing disruption from artificial intelligence. The ILO estimates that 6.1% of jobs held by people under 29 could be affected by AI-related changes. If even one-tenth of those jobs disappeared, approximately 5.6 million young workers, particularly in wealthier economies, could face unemployment or the need to change careers.

By contrast, in developing countries, most young people cannot afford to remain unemployed. Nearly nine out of 10 young people in low-income economies work in the informal sector without social or legal protections.

(Reuters, Max)