Geneva, the headquarters of many international organizations, is a city known for its commitment to global issues. Recently, the International Labor Organization (ILO) released its Global Employment Trends for Youth 2024 report, shedding light on the current state of youth unemployment worldwide. The report, released on International Youth Day, highlights the progress made in reducing global youth unemployment rates to a 15-year low of 13% in 2023. However, it also warns of uneven economic recovery post-COVID, with certain regions experiencing an increase in youth unemployment.
One of the key findings of the report is the disparity in economic recovery among different regions. While global youth unemployment rates are expected to continue to decline over the next two years, some regions, such as the Arab States, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific, have seen an increase in youth unemployment rates compared to pre-pandemic levels. This uneven recovery poses a challenge for policymakers and organizations working to address youth unemployment on a global scale.
Another concerning trend highlighted in the report is the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on young women’s employment opportunities. Before the pandemic, young men globally experienced higher unemployment rates than young women. However, by 2023, unemployment rates for young women and young men almost converged, with young women facing a higher unemployment rate of 20.9% compared to 13.1% for young men. This disparity underscores the need for targeted interventions to support young women in accessing decent job opportunities.
The report also draws attention to the issue of youth not in employment, education, or training (NEET), with 20.4% of the world’s youth falling into this category in 2023. The majority of NEET youth are female, highlighting the need for policies that address the barriers preventing young women from accessing education and employment opportunities. Additionally, the report emphasizes the persistent challenges facing young people in developing countries, where inequalities of opportunity have worsened, leading to a lack of secure job prospects for many young workers.
In terms of regional disparities, the report notes that youth unemployment rates have reached historic lows in North America and parts of Western Europe, while remaining critically high in the Arab states and North Africa. Sub-Saharan Africa presents a different picture, with relatively low youth unemployment rates but significant challenges in accessing decent work opportunities. The region’s reliance on the agricultural sector, where many young people work in informal and insecure jobs, highlights the need for investment in creating more secure and attractive job opportunities for young people.
Looking ahead, the report calls for increased investment in job creation, particularly for young women, and the strengthening of labor market policies to ensure equal treatment and social protection for young workers. Addressing global inequalities through improved international cooperation is also highlighted as a key priority in tackling the challenges of youth unemployment on a global scale. As Geneva continues to be a hub for international dialogue and collaboration, the findings of the ILO report serve as a call to action for policymakers, organizations, and stakeholders to work together towards creating a more inclusive and sustainable future for young people worldwide.