Youth employment

Young people globally are almost three times more likely to be unemployed as are adults. They are also particularly vulnerable to insecure and poorly paid jobs. Emerging evidence on effective support options include:

  • Entrepreneurship support and skills training tend to be more effective than other interventions, leading to notable benefits in some countries.
  • Wage subsidies and job services have so far been largely ineffective.
  • Digital technologies have great potential in delivering training and financial services to youth, as well as offering new job opportunities.

For more specific resources on labour markets and employment in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, please refer to the DCED knowledge page on Socioeconomic impacts and national responses.

At a glance: Short reads on youth employment

DCED publication           External publication

A Synthesis Note that summarises key research on how different private sector development approaches can assist young people.

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Two-pager outlining the findings of three recent, systematic studies on youth employment globally.

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Global Employment Trends for Youth 2020, ILO, 2020

Seven-page summary of the main ILO report on global trends around technology and the future of jobs for youth.

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Ten focus areas for youth employment policies, INCLUDE, 2017

Based on systematic evidence reviews, INCLUDE has summarised 10 focus areas for policy makers in this two-page document.

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Different forms and contexts of support to youth employment

Measuring results of youth employment programmes

Photo credits: © ILO / Crozet M.