Unemployment: Too many young people without work, training or further education

Unemployment: Too many young people without work, training or further education

A fulfilling life includes decent work. In many regions of the world, this is difficult for young people to achieve – as shown by a report by the International Labour Organization.

According to a report by the International Labour Organization (ILO), one in five young people worldwide is neither employed nor receiving training or further education. The proportion is too high, reports the UN organization in Geneva. Two thirds of those affected are young women.

“Peaceful societies are built on three core ingredients: stability, inclusion and social justice,” said ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo. “Decent work for youth is at the heart of all three.”

According to the ILO report, the proportion of those without employment, education or training among 15- to 24-year-olds worldwide in 2023 was 20.4 percent. It has only improved by three percentage points since the surveys began in 2005. The ILO calls the category “NEET”: not in employment, education or training.

Unemployment is falling

Unemployment in this age group in particular is falling. Last year, 13 percent of people were unemployed, the lowest since the surveys began. This affected 64.9 million people between the ages of 15 and 24. However, these statistics only include people who are actively looking for work.

The difference between the regions is large. While young people in the USA and parts of Europe had almost no problems finding work, the opposite was the case in the Arab countries and in East and Southeast Asia, according to the ILO. In many countries there is not enough work.

Many young people fear for their jobs

Many young people are worried. Two thirds fear losing their jobs. Young people are often employed on temporary contracts and are the first to be laid off in times of crisis. “This shows that there is something wrong with our labor markets,” said Houngbo.

The ILO is calling on its 187 member states to offer more training places and to ensure that young people learn what is needed in the labour market.

Source: Stern

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