Global youth unemployment has reached its lowest point in 15 years, according to a United Nations report released on Monday.
In 2023, the number of unemployed youths aged 15 to 24 stands at 64.9 million, marking the lowest figure since the turn of the millennium.
However, countries continue to miss out on the post-COVID economic rebound, particularly the women of Asia, the Pacific and Arab states, said the United Nations labour agency on Monday.
"Demographic trends, notably the African 'youthquake', means that it's going to be very important to create enough decent jobs for social justice and the global economy," the Geneva-based International Labour Organisation said as it published new data on global job market trends.
The ILO pointed out that globally, youth unemployment had gone down to 13 per cent in 2023, lower than the pre-pandemic level, with continued declines expected in 2024 and 2025.
"The recovery has been uneven", said Sara Elder, ILO economist and lead author of the report, "Youth unemployment rates have continued to rise in East Asia".
Equally concerning is the fact that more than one in five young people last year – were not in employment, education, or training—a situation the ILO refers to as "NEETs".
"If you're a young woman, the challenge to stay in school or get a job is double: two in every three young NEETs are female," Elder pointed out.
ILO estimated that nearly 65 million young people did not have a job last year, with many lacking social protection and remaining in temporary jobs.
"Most young workers still lack social protection and remain in temporary jobs that make it hard for them to get ahead as independent adults," Elder added.
As such, the more educated generation of youth nowadays, at present, has a much harder time than ever before in history, due to the great challenges Gen Z job seekers are now facing.
"Decent work is a ticket to a better future for young people, and a passport for social justice, inclusion, and peace. The time to create the opportunities for a brighter future is now," said Elder.
Speaking ahead of International Youth Day, observed on August 12, ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo pointed to ongoing gender bias in the labour market, with the global NEET rate among young women more than double that of young men in 2023.
"Opportunities for young people are highly unequal, with many young women, young people with limited financial means, or from any minority background still struggling," Houngbo said.
Houngbo insisted, "None of us can look forward to a stable future when millions of young people around the world do not have decent work and as a result are feeling insecure and unable to build a better life for themselves and their families."
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