What is the current global youth unemployment rate?

The global youth unemployment rate rose to 12.4% last year, up from 12.3% in 2024, according to the International Labour Organization.

How many young people are unemployed globally?

The 12.4% rate is equivalent to 67 million unemployed people aged 15 to 24.

Where are youth job losses most severe?

Some of the steepest increases in youth unemployment are being seen in high-income countries, where artificial intelligence is beginning to change the jobs market.

AI Coding AssistantsJapan Times TechAug 12, 2026Aug 12, 2026, 10:00 JST

Global youth unemployment rose to 12.4%, UN agency reports

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3 Key Points

What happened
The International Labour Organization reported that the global youth unemployment rate increased from 12.3% in 2024 to 12.4% last year, affecting 67 million unemployed people aged 15 to 24.
Why it matters
The recovery in youth labor markets that followed the Covid-19 pandemic has stalled. Some of the steepest increases are occurring in high-income countries, where artificial intelligence is beginning to change the jobs market.
What to watch
The U.N.'s labor agency has signaled that youth employment trends are reversing after a period of improvement, suggesting ongoing pressure on entry-level job availability globally.

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Context & Analysis

The United Nations labour agency's report signals a reversal in youth employment fortunes after the pandemic-driven recovery of recent years. The rise from 12.3% to 12.4% may appear modest in percentage terms, but it represents a shift in trajectory at a critical moment: high-income countries are experiencing particularly acute increases, a pattern the body attributes to artificial intelligence's impact on the jobs market. The agency explicitly notes that the post-pandemic recovery has stalled, suggesting that gains made in 2023–2024 are not holding. This timing matters because entry-level roles are often the first to be affected by automation and AI-driven workplace changes, making the trend especially consequential for young workers seeking to establish careers.

FAQ

What is the current global youth unemployment rate?: The global youth unemployment rate rose to 12.4% last year, up from 12.3% in 2024, according to the International Labour Organization.
How many young people are unemployed globally?: The 12.4% rate is equivalent to 67 million unemployed people aged 15 to 24.
Where are youth job losses most severe?: Some of the steepest increases in youth unemployment are being seen in high-income countries, where artificial intelligence is beginning to change the jobs market.

Japan Times TechRead Original Article

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