World youth unemployment rate rose last year, says UN

GENEVA: Global youth unemployment climbed last year, the United Nations announced, with a sharp rise in high-income nations as artificial intelligence reshapes the job market, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO). The ILO's Global Employment Trends for Youth 2026 report revealed that the global youth unemployment rate climbed from 12.3% in 2024 to 12.4% in 2025, affecting 67 million people aged 15 to 24.

The share of young people not in employment, education, or training (NEET) also edged up slightly to 20%, impacting more than 257 million individuals. Traditional entry-level jobs in administration, sales, and manufacturing are declining, exacerbating the situation for young people entering the workforce. Rising anxiety over AI and technological disruptions, coupled with geopolitical tensions and economic slowdowns, has made the transition from school to stable jobs increasingly challenging for many young people.

The report projects that the youth unemployment rate will remain steady at 12.3% in 2026 and 2027. While the youth unemployment and NEET rates rising together are a cause for concern, the exact impact of AI on unemployment among young people remains uncertain, according to the ILO. The report warns that a generation unable to secure decent work faces a bleak future, as countries lose talent, productivity, and social cohesion when young people are excluded from quality employment.