Nowadays, youth compared to adults are almost three times as likely to be unemployed, which indicates that youth face specific and substantial difficulties in the labour market. Furthermore, both developed and developing countries are failing to increase employment opportunities for young people. This is only one of several issues concerning youth employment that are being amplified by the current economic and financial crisis.
Latest ILO data indicate that the number of young unemployed, between the ages of 15 and 24, reached 72.5 million in 2007 (75.2 million estimated for 2008), accounting for 40 per cent of total unemployment. Because of the current economic crisis, the number of unemployed youth is projected to reach between 78-90 million by the end of 2009.
In June 2005, government, employers’ and workers’ representatives from 178 countries agreed, at the International Labour Conference, that the best strategy for tackling youth employment requires an integrated approach. The approach should combine supportive macro-economic policies, targeted measures, address labour demand and supply as well as the quantity and quality of employment through multi-stakeholder action.
The ILO’s Employment Sector is hosting the Youth Employment Programme (YEP) which cuts across its departments and other sectors. The YEP operates through a global network of technical specialists at its Headquarters in Geneva and in more than 60 offices around the world.
YEP and the Millennium Development Goals
Decent and productive employment for youth is a major commitment of the Millennium Development Goals. The ILO has a special role to play in promoting policies and initiatives on youth employment as part of this commitment. For instance, the ILO is working to promote a successful transition for youth in order to reduce poverty, considering that labour is the most abundant or only asset among poor. The ILO’s work aims to increase employment opportunities for young women and men in order to improve their working conditions and enhance their employability.
A strong tripartite constituency and a global partnership are needed to achieve successful collective action on youth employment.
“Creating jobs for youth is not enough. Across the planet, youth are not only finding it difficult if not impossible to find jobs, but also they cannot find decent jobs. …We are facing not only an economic challenge, but a security threat of monumental proportions.”
Juan Somavia, Director-General
International Labour Organization