Global Youth Unemployment Rises as Labor Market Challenges Intensify

According to the International Labour Organization’s report titled "Global Employment Trends for Youth 2026: Restoring Futures," unemployment among young people aged 15 to 24 is on the rise worldwide. Slowing economic growth and a shortage of new job openings have created significant hurdles for young entry-level workers trying to enter the workforce.

By the end of 2025, the global youth unemployment rate reached 12.4%, leaving nearly 67 million young individuals officially without work. This upward trend is most pronounced in high-income economies, where eight out of 11 global subregions recorded a deterioration in youth employment numbers between 2023 and 2025.

Geopolitical instability, digital transformation, and economic deceleration continue to undermine job prospects, with entry-level positions in administration, clerical work, retail, manufacturing, and customer service experiencing notable cutbacks. In low- and lower-middle-income nations, nearly 90% of workers aged 15 to 29 are employed informally, leaving them without social safety nets or stable earnings.

Furthermore, technological progress and artificial intelligence threaten to disrupt roughly 6.1% of jobs currently held by young workers, requiring substantial skill adaptations. Meanwhile, demand for highly qualified professionals remains exceptionally strong across STEM fields, healthcare, and engineering.