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Youth employment

Promoting decent jobs for youth everywhere © Getty Images

The Global Youth Employment Challenges

Even in the best of times, young people faced a tough situation in the labour market. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic they were around three times more likely to be unemployed than adults. The crisis now threatens to exacerbate existing inequalities within and between countries.

65 million

The estimated total global number of unemployed youths in 2023

20.4%

The share of youth not in employment, education or training (NEET) in 2023

2 times

Young women are 2 times more likely to be in NEET status than young men.

Image
young man in a factory
Global Employment Trends for Youth 2024

Global Employment Trends for Youth 2024

This 20th anniversary publication provides the latest statistics and analysis on labour market outcomes for youth.

News and articles

ILO urges bold G7 action to empower youth for future of work
G7 signage in Canada, 2025

G7 Labour and Employment Ministers

ILO urges bold G7 action to empower youth for future of work

Sunil Das: Rising above challenges with determination and inclusive support
Sunil Das at the production line of Bengal Biscuit factory

Disability inclusion

Sunil Das: Rising above challenges with determination and inclusive support

Key Initiatives

The ILO’s Youth Employment Action Plan (YEAP) 2020-30
Youth solidarity representation_2023

The ILO’s Youth Employment Action Plan (YEAP) 2020-30

The Global Initiative on Decent Jobs for Youth
Young female portrait

The Global Initiative on Decent Jobs for Youth

The YouthForesight Knowledge Facility: Collective Knowledge that Works for Youth
Card showing the joint knowledge facility platform and slogan

The YouthForesight Knowledge Facility: Collective Knowledge that Works for Youth

The Green Jobs for Youth Pact
Girl with a hat standing in a field with green crops

The Green Jobs for Youth Pact

Most recent publications

Handbook on policy areas to reduce youth in NEET status

Handbook

Handbook on policy areas to reduce youth in NEET status

Youth at Work in G20 countries: Progress and policy action in 2024

G20 Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting, George, South Africa

Youth at Work in G20 countries: Progress and policy action in 2024

Empowering women and youth: Advancing opportunities through African Development Bank-supported initiatives

Mid-term report of the SEDWAY and BG4YE projects

Empowering women and youth: Advancing opportunities through African Development Bank-supported initiatives

Projects

Green Jobs for Youth to Respond to the Refugee Crisis in Northern Côte d’Ivoire

Green Jobs for Youth to Respond to the Refugee Crisis in Northern Côte d’Ivoire

EU-ILO Technical Assistance Facility on the implementation of the Youth Guarantee in the Western Balkans: Innovation in youth employment...

EU-ILO Technical Assistance Facility on the implementation of the Youth Guarantee in the Western Balkans: Innovation in youth employment...

HO(SPITABLE) RE(SILIENT) CA(PABLE): Support to the labour market integration of young people in the hospitality and tourism sector in Kosovo

HO(SPITABLE) RE(SILIENT) CA(PABLE): Support to the labour market integration of young people in the hospitality and tourism sector in Kosovo