The International Labour Organization (ILO) reported that global youth unemployment increased in 2025, with the sharpest rises observed in high-income economies. The rise comes as artificial intelligence continues to expand, affecting job prospects for young workers.
According to the ILO's 'Global Employment Trends for Youth 2026' report, the global youth unemployment rate reached 13.2% in 2025, up from 12.9% in 2024. In high-income countries, the rate jumped to 11.3% from 10.2%, marking the largest annual increase in that group.
The report highlights that young people are increasingly competing with AI-driven automation for entry-level jobs, particularly in sectors like customer service, data entry, and administrative support. However, the ILO notes that the impact varies by region, with some developing economies seeing slight improvements.
ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo said, 'The rise in youth unemployment is a warning sign. We must invest in skills development and social protection to ensure young people are not left behind in the digital transition.'
The report also points to a growing 'NEET' (Not in Employment, Education, or Training) rate, which reached 22.1% globally in 2025, meaning over 200 million young people are not engaged in work or study.
