Youth employment

The world is facing a worsening youth employment crisis: young people are three times more likely to be unemployed than adults and over 75 million youth worldwide are looking for work. The ILO has warned of a “scarred” generation of young workers facing a dangerous mix of high unemployment, increased inactivity and precarious work in developed countries, as well as persistently high working poverty in the developing world.

The ILO's programme on youth employment operates through a global network of technical teams at its headquarters in Geneva and in more than 60 offices around the world. It provides assistance to countries in developing coherent and coordinated interventions on youth employment. This integrated approach combines macro-economic policies and targeted measures which address labour demand and supply, as well as the quantity and quality of employment.

Key resources

Youth employment crisis: ILO call for action

In June 2012, the ILO adopted a Resolution calling for immediate, targeted and renewed action to tackle the youth employment crisis. The resolution provides a portfolio of tested measures in five areas: macro-economic policies, employability, labour market policies, youth entrepreneurship and rights.

Participate

Global photo contest "WORK4YOUTH"

Participate in the ILO photo contest to shed light on youth employment issues, the challenges young people face in the workplace as well as their power to overcome them. Zoom in for the top prize!

Latest

European employment

Austerity a threat to prosperity?

09 April 2013

Unemployment in Europe has reached historic levels and there is growing concern that the jobs crisis is so deep it will have a profound impact on the region's ability to recover.
© Andreas Solaro / AFP 2013

European labour market

Ten million more unemployed in Europe than in 2008

08 April 2013

Austerity measures have not addressed the root causes of the crisis nor have they brought down unemployment, according to a snapshot of EU countries based on an upcoming ILO report on the state of global labour markets.
Policy Brief

Youth guarantees: a response to the youth employment crisis?

04 April 2013

Employment Policy Brief
© Leon Neal / AFP 2013

Youth employment crisis

EU-wide youth guarantees: ILO at the ready

04 April 2013

The ILO will cooperate with the European Commission in tackling the employment crisis facing young people, including through youth guarantee schemes.
Video

Roundtable on sustaining growth and job creation in Africa

19 March 2013

Despite the global economic and financial crisis, African economies have continued to record average annual economic growth of five per cent. Six of the world's fastest growing economies are in Africa, making the continent the world's second fastest growing region. How this growth can be sustained and be harnessed to create more jobs, was the focus of discussion among employers at a roundtable organized by the International Organization of Employers (IOE) in collaboration with the ILO and Business Africa. The highlight of the event was the presentation of McKinsey's Global Institute study: "Africa at Work: Job Creation and Inclusive Growth".