ILO Reports Global Youth Unemployment Rose to 12.4 Percent

The International Labour Organization reported Tuesday that the global youth unemployment rate increased from 12.3 percent in 2024 to 12.4 percent in 2025. This shift left 67 million people aged 15 to 24 without work, according to the Global Employment Trends for Youth 2026 report.

The report indicates a stalled post-pandemic recovery, with the share of youth not in employment, education, or training (NEET) rising to 20 percent, affecting over 257 million people. The steepest increases occurred in high-income regions, including northern America, northern Africa, and northern, southern, and western Europe.

ILO officials attribute these trends to slowing economic growth, geopolitical tensions, and rapid technological change, which have reduced traditional entry-level roles in manufacturing, sales, and administration. While a direct causal link is not yet proven, the agency noted a coincidence between the emergence of artificial intelligence and rising youth unemployment and anxiety.