Global youth unemployment rises to 12.4% as 67 million young people remain jobless

Dubai: The global youth unemployment rate has surged to 12.4 percent in 2025, with an estimated 67 million young people aged 15 to 24 remaining jobless, according to a new report by the International Labour Organization (ILO). This sharp decline in employment prospects comes amid ongoing economic uncertainty, persistent inflation and growing concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) impacting jobs.

The ILO stated that the recent setbacks in youth employment come at a time of great economic instability and risk. While nearly 90 percent of the world's young population resides in developing and emerging economies, the report revealed that more than nine in 10 young workers in low- and lower-middle-income countries are employed informally, which restricts their access to stable wages and social protection.

Sub-Saharan Africa, the Arab States and Northern Africa are particularly affected, with youth unemployment reaching 26.2 percent and 22.6 percent respectively. Despite the overall decline in youth employment, some sectors such as science, healthcare and information technology continue to grow, presenting potential opportunities for young workers.

However, entry-level jobs, particularly in clerical and administrative fields, are diminishing due to technological advancements, including the rise of AI.