Global Youth Unemployment Rises to 67 Million as Young Workers Face a Tougher Jobs Market

Geneva, August 13, 2026 — The global employment outlook for young people has taken a worrying turn, with the number of unemployed people aged 15 to 24 reaching approximately 67 million in 2025, according to the International Labour Organization’s latest Global Employment Trends for Youth 2026 report. The global youth unemployment rate rose to 12.4%, indicating that the recovery in youth employment seen after the COVID-19 pandemic is losing momentum.

The figures highlight a difficult reality for a generation entering the labour market amid slower economic growth, changing workplace requirements and rapid advances in artificial intelligence. While some young people are finding opportunities in expanding industries, millions remain outside employment, education or training.

The ILO’s findings suggest that the challenge is no longer simply about creating more jobs. The quality, stability and future prospects of those jobs are becoming equally important.

67 Million Young People Without Work

The latest ILO estimate puts the number of unemployed young people worldwide at around 67 million. At 12.4%, the youth unemployment rate represents a reversal of some of the progress recorded following the pandemic.

Young people often face a tougher transition into employment than experienced workers. Employers may prefer candidates who already have professional experience, leaving first-time jobseekers competing for a limited pool of entry-level positions.

The problem can become especially severe when economies slow and companies reduce recruitment. Young workers entering the market during weak economic periods can experience prolonged unemployment, delayed career progression and reduced earnings.

The consequences can extend beyond an individual’s first job. A difficult start to working life can affect access to housing, financial independence and the ability to establish long-term economic security.

More Than 257 Million Young People Are NEET

Unemployment is only one part of the global youth employment problem.

The ILO estimates that more than 257 million young people were not in employment, education or training — commonly referred to as the NEET population — equivalent to about one in five young people globally.

This category includes young people who are neither working nor acquiring education or training that could improve their future employment prospects.

Remaining outside both work and education can create a difficult cycle. Without employment, young people may struggle to gain experience, while without education or vocational training, they can find it harder to compete for jobs requiring specialized skills.

The situation is particularly concerning in countries where formal employment opportunities are already scarce.

Traditional Entry-Level Jobs Are Shrinking

One of the most important changes identified in the latest employment outlook is the decline of some middle-skilled occupations that have historically provided entry points into the labour market.

Clerical, administrative, sales and certain other routine occupations have come under pressure as businesses adopt new technologies and reorganize their operations.

For young workers, this transformation is significant.

Many people traditionally began their careers in jobs that required basic or intermediate skills and gradually developed experience before moving into higher-level positions. If those first-step jobs disappear, young workers may have fewer opportunities to gain the experience needed for more advanced employment.

Technology can therefore create opportunities while simultaneously removing some traditional pathways into work.

Artificial Intelligence Adds a New Layer of Uncertainty

Artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly important factor in the global employment debate.

The ILO estimates that around 6.1% of jobs held by young people are highly exposed to AI-related disruption. If a portion of those jobs were eliminated rather than transformed, millions of positions could potentially be affected.

However, exposure does not automatically mean that a job will disappear.

AI can also change the tasks workers perform rather than replace entire occupations. Young employees who develop digital, analytical and technological skills may benefit from the transformation as companies create new roles around AI and other emerging technologies.

The challenge for governments and education systems is ensuring that young people receive training that matches the changing requirements of employers.

Regional Differences Remain Huge

The global average hides major differences between regions.

The Arab States recorded a youth unemployment rate of around 26.2%, while North Africa’s rate was approximately 22.6%, according to the latest findings reported on the ILO assessment.

These figures demonstrate that young people in some regions face far greater barriers to employment than the global average suggests.

In poorer economies, another problem is widespread informal employment. Young people may technically have jobs but lack stable contracts, adequate wages, social protection or reliable working conditions.

The ILO has previously highlighted the strong relationship between national income levels and access to secure employment. Young workers in lower-income countries are considerably more likely to enter insecure forms of work.

Education Alone Is No Longer Enough

Education remains one of the most important tools for improving employment prospects, but the relationship between qualifications and jobs is becoming more complicated.

Young people around the world are spending more time in education and training, yet many still struggle to find work that matches their qualifications.

This creates what economists describe as an education or skills mismatch.

A graduate may possess a degree but lack the practical skills demanded by employers. Conversely, companies may have vacancies that remain difficult to fill because available workers do not have the required technical expertise.

Closing this gap will require closer cooperation between universities, vocational institutions, governments and employers.

Young Women Face Additional Barriers

The global youth employment challenge also has an important gender dimension.

Young women are more likely than young men to be outside employment, education or training in many parts of the world. The ILO has previously noted that two-thirds of young people in NEET status globally are women.

Social expectations, unpaid care responsibilities, limited access to training and discrimination can restrict women’s participation in labour markets.

Improving youth employment therefore requires policies that address both job creation and barriers preventing young women from entering or remaining in the workforce.

What Governments Can Do

The latest figures put pressure on governments to make youth employment a central economic priority.

Creating more jobs remains essential, but policymakers also need to focus on whether those jobs provide decent wages, stability and opportunities for career development.

Vocational education and apprenticeships could help young people gain practical experience before entering full-time employment. Governments can also encourage companies to hire inexperienced workers through targeted training programmes and incentives.

Digital education will become increasingly important as AI and automation change workplace requirements.

At the same time, young workers need opportunities to develop skills that machines are less likely to replace, including creativity, communication, problem-solving, teamwork and complex decision-making.

A Critical Moment for the Next Generation

The rise in youth unemployment to 12.4% is an important warning sign for the global economy.

Young people are not simply future workers; they represent a major part of today’s economic potential. When millions remain unemployed or disconnected from education and training, countries lose productive capacity while young individuals face greater financial and social uncertainty.

The situation also has broader implications. Persistent unemployment can contribute to frustration, inequality and declining confidence in economic institutions.

The challenge is particularly urgent because the labour market is changing at the same time that young people are trying to establish themselves within it.

Artificial intelligence, automation, demographic change and slower economic growth are reshaping the types of jobs available. The countries that respond effectively will need to combine economic policies with education and skills strategies.

The ILO’s latest assessment ultimately points to a simple but significant conclusion: creating opportunities for young people must involve more than reducing unemployment figures.

The world needs to ensure that young workers can find jobs that provide meaningful experience, decent conditions, fair incomes and a realistic pathway toward a stable future.

With 67 million young people unemployed in 2025, the scale of the challenge is already substantial. The decisions governments, businesses and educational institutions make now could determine whether the next generation experiences a prolonged employment crisis or successfully adapts to the rapidly changing world of work.