Geneva: The International Labour Organization (ILO) has released a report noting significant improvements in global youth employment rates over the past four years, with a positive outlook extending into the next two years. Despite this trend, the report raises concerns over the high number of young people aged 15 to 24 who are not engaged in employment, education, or training (NEET), particularly highlighting the disparities faced by young women and those in certain regions.
According to International Labour Organization, the report titled “Global Employment Trends for Youth 2024 (GET for Youth)” highlights that the youth unemployment rate has reached a 15-year low at 13 percent, down from 13.8 percent in 2019, and is expected to decrease further to 12.8 percent in the upcoming years. However, this improvement is not uniformly distributed, with areas such as the Arab States, East Asia, and Southeast Asia and the Pacific not experiencing the same recovery levels as other regions.
The ILO report also points out the challenges in securing decent jobs, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where the majority of young workers are in informal or temporary employment. Additionally, the report stresses the psychological impact on youth, as the continuing high NEET rates contribute to growing anxiety among a generation that is also the most educated in history.
Gilbert F. Houngbo, ILO Director-General, emphasized the importance of decent work for youth in achieving societal stability, inclusion, and social justice. He noted that the labor market recovery has been more favorable to young men compared to young women, with the unemployment rates nearly equal in 2023 but the global NEET rate for young women being significantly higher than that for young men.
The report advocates for more effective investment in creating opportunities for young people, particularly women, and strengthening support structures to aid their transition into the labor market. It calls for international cooperation and increased public-private partnerships to address the educational and employment mismatches and to prepare youth for the evolving demands of a greener and more digital global economy.
As the ILO marks the 20th anniversary of the GET for Youth reports, it reflects on the achievements and ongoing challenges in improving youth employment prospects in an era marked by crises and uncertainties, urging young people to engage actively in advocating for change and securing a socially just and inclusive world.