While global job markets improve, youth face unemployment rates three times higher than adults. Recent figures reveal sharp gender gaps and declining labor participation in low-income countries, threatening an entire generation of talent and ambition.
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12.6%
Global youth unemployment rate
Remained elevated in 2025 despite slight improvement since 2023
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12.4%
Male youth unemployment
Rates similar between genders but with different challenges
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12.3%
Female youth unemployment
With wider gap (12.9%) in female workforce participation
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20.4%
Youth not in work, education or training (NEET)
1 in 5 youth in 2023; one-third are women