Why the youth jobs crisis is becoming global
Young people in much of the world face growing competition for entry-level jobs as graduate numbers rise, hiring slows and AI-driven disruption adds uncertainty to career prospects.
The youth job crisis, first evident in China, signals broader economic and social challenges that governments and businesses must tackle. Youth unemployment, defined as individuals aged 15 to 24 actively seeking employment but unable to find it, has surged in multiple countries. In China, the urban unemployment rate for 16-to 24-year-olds was 15.6% in May, nearly three times the overall unemployment rate of 5%.
Young people face weaker growth, slower upward mobility, and heightened competition for jobs. Technology advancements, like artificial intelligence, could further erode entry-level job prospects. Despite some improvement in Europe since the financial crisis, youth unemployment rates have risen in several regions, including East Asia, North America, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific.
Policymakers and employers must invest in creating better jobs and supporting young people's transition from school to work.
Written by urgent.news from DW Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
