Topic portal
Youth employment
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.
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
How to adapt labour markets to changing demographics
Press release
New skills offer better employment prospects for youth in Sabah’s oil palm sector
Key Initiatives
The ILO’s Youth Employment Action Plan (YEAP) 2020-30
The Global Initiative on Decent Jobs for Youth
The YouthForesight Knowledge Facility: Collective Knowledge that Works for Youth
The Green Jobs for Youth Pact
Most recent publications
A Bold Step to End Exploitation
Kenya Joins Alliance 8.7 as a Pathfinder Country
ILO Flagship report
Social Dialogue Report 2024: Peak-level social dialogue for economic development and social progress
Training on Youth Employment
Capacity building on Youth Employment
Projects
JEUN’ESS: Promotion of Social and Solidarity Economy and Creation of Decent Jobs for Tunisian Youth
Youth for Future (Y4F): Youth Empowerment and Integration in Host Communities