Global youth unemployment rises, AI transformation cited

Global youth unemployment climbed to 12.4% last year, with high-income economies experiencing some of the largest increases, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO). The annual report on youth employment indicates that 67 million young people aged 15-24 were jobless in 2025, a slight rise from 12.3% in 2024.

Furthermore, the proportion of young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET) edged up to 20%, representing over 257 million individuals. The ILO forecasts that youth unemployment will remain stable at 12.3% in 2026 and 2027.

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6.1% of jobs currently held by young people aged 15 to 29 fall into occupations that are highly affected by AI-related changes.

The report highlights the significant impact of technological advancements, particularly the growing role of artificial intelligence, on youth employment prospects. Traditional entry-level jobs in sectors like administration, sales, manufacturing, and even some technical fields are experiencing a downturn.

"6.1% of jobs currently held by young people aged 15 to 29 fall into occupations that are highly affected by AI-related changes," stated Sukti Dasgupta, director of the ILO's Employment and Skills branch. She warned that if 10% of these vulnerable jobs disappear, 5.6 million young workers, especially in high-income countries, could face unemployment or the need to retrain.

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In the event that 10% of these jobs vulnerable to AI impact disappear, 5.6 million young workers, especially in high-income countries, will face the risk of unemployment or the need to change their profession or leave the labor market.