Key facts
- Global youth unemployment increased to 12.4% in 2025, up from 12.3% in 2023.
- The number of unemployed youth worldwide reached 67 million.
- The share of young people not in employment, education, or training (NEET) rose to 20%.
- Middle-skilled jobs are declining, impacting entry-level opportunities for young people.
- Artificial intelligence could put 6.1% of jobs held by 15- to 29-year-olds at risk.
Global youth unemployment saw an increase in 2025, reversing post-pandemic improvements and signaling a worsening job market for young people, according to a report by the International Labour Organization (ILO). The UN labor agency stated that weaker economic growth, geopolitical tensions, and sluggish job creation contributed to the rise.
The global unemployment rate for 15-to-24-year-olds edged up to 12.4% in 2025, affecting approximately 67 million individuals worldwide, compared to 12.3% in 2023. The proportion of young people not engaged in employment, education, or training (NEET) also climbed to 20%, representing over 257 million people.
The report indicated a near-universal deterioration, with youth unemployment rising in eight of the world's 11 subregions and across high-income, lower-middle-income, and low-income countries. The Arab States reported the highest youth unemployment rate at 26.2%, followed by North Africa at 22.6%. Notably, youth unemployment in North America increased to 9.8% in 2025 from 8.3% in 2023, while the rate stood at 15% across Northern, Southern, and Western Europe.
The ILO highlighted the decline of middle-skilled jobs, such as clerical, administrative, sales, and manufacturing roles, which have historically served as entry points for young workers. This shrinkage is leading to longer job queues and increased unemployment for those with secondary-level education seeking these positions.
Furthermore, the report warned of potential future labor market disruptions due to artificial intelligence. The ILO estimated that 6.1% of jobs held by individuals aged 15 to 29 are in occupations most susceptible to AI-driven changes. If 10% of these jobs were eliminated, approximately 5.6 million young workers, primarily in high-income countries, could face unemployment, career transitions, or leave the labor force.
While high-skilled sector jobs in science, engineering, healthcare, and IT continue to expand, many young people in developing economies resort to insecure work due to prolonged unemployment. Nearly nine out of 10 young workers in low- and lower-middle-income countries are in informal employment, lacking adequate labor and social protections.