Youth unemployment continues to present a complex global challenge, one that resonates deeply with our work supporting the social and economic inclusion of young people. While there are encouraging signs of progress, the findings in the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Global Employment Trends for Youth 2024 report aligns with our experience: significant challenges remain, particularly in developing regions. Young people continue to face barriers in accessing decent work, with gender and regional inequalities demanding urgent action.

1. Youth unemployment shows slow improvement, but disparities persist

The ILO report reveals that global youth unemployment has dropped to 13%, a 15-year low, suggesting gradual improvement. However, there are considerable regional disparities. In regions like the Arab States and East Asia, youth unemployment rates are still above pre-pandemic levels.

In Jordan, we’ve seen how these challenges are further complicated. Through a recent vulnerability mapping and local economic assessment, we observed that high youth unemployment is intensified by the country’s large refugee population. Many young refugees face additional barriers to employment, making it even harder for local youth to access opportunities. This highlights the need for comprehensive strategies that address both local youth unemployment and the unique challenges faced by displaced populations.

2. High NEET rates emphasise the need for focused support

A troubling 20.4% of youth globally fall under the NEET category – not in Employment, Education, or Training – illustrating the scale of the challenge young people face in accessing employment, education or training opportunities. This issue disproportionately affects young women, who represent two-thirds of all NEET youth worldwide.

At the recent MENA Youth Employment Summit, speakers highlighted the need to balance business growth with job creation, emphasising that employment must be central to national solutions. In Morocco, the manufacturing sector aims to create 400,000 jobs by 2030, but challenges remain in integrating NEET youth into the workforce, particularly with the high female unemployment rate. A key takeaway was the critical need for core skills, work placements and competency-based training to bridge the gap between education and the labour market, ensuring young people gain the experience and skills necessary for future job opportunities.

3. Limited access to decent work options

The report highlights that over half of young workers globally are employed informally, often in temporary or self-employed roles. In low-income countries, informal work is frequently the only option, limiting access to stable income and career advancement.

From our work in countries such as Uzbekistan and Egypt, we’ve seen that decent work opportunities are often scarce, particularly in rural areas, intensifying this challenge. Many young people in these regions struggle to find stable, formal employment, reinforcing the call for focused efforts to bridge the urban-rural divide and create sustainable, high-quality job opportunities for youth across all areas. Additionally, promoting entrepreneurship can play a key role in addressing this gap, providing young people with the skills and resources to create their own opportunities and contribute to local economies.

4. Rising anxiety among youth about job stability

Despite being the most educated generation in history, today’s youth are increasingly concerned about job stability and future opportunities. Many young people worry about finding decent, stable work that offers room for growth. In regions like Sub-Saharan Africa, this challenge is particularly acute for young women, who make up the majority of NEET youth, highlighting deep gender inequalities in access to education and employment.

Globally, we’ve observed how this anxiety plays out, particularly among young people striving to secure stable employment or advance their careers. The lack of clear pathways to decent work, combined with barriers such as limited access to mentorship, deepens uncertainty. This demonstrate the importance of gender-sensitive approaches and initiatives that build resilience and core skills to help all youth navigate the evolving job market and secure meaningful employment.

The Skills Academy Model: A solution for sustainable youth employment

Our Skills Academy Model directly addresses these challenges, offering a targeted and localised approach to bridge the education-employment gap. Successfully rolled out in multiple countries, including Jordan, Egypt and Uzbekistan, the Skills Academy helps tackle youth unemployment in the following ways:

• Demand-driven training: The Skills Academy Model focuses on equipping young people with practical, job-ready skills that match the needs of local industries. By aligning training with high-demand sectors, a Skills Academy ensures that graduates are prepared to step directly into in-demand job roles.
• Support for NEET youth, especially women: With a strong emphasis on inclusivity, the Skills Academy Model provides pathways for young people who are currently NEET, offering them hands-on learning opportunities and support. Targeted initiatives within the Skills Academy are designed to support young women, addressing the unique barriers they face in accessing the workforce.
• Access to decent work: A Skills Academy doesn’t just train young people; it builds partnerships with employers to ensure graduates have access to stable, decent jobs that offer long-term potential. Through these partnerships, young people gain access to quality work and the potential for career advancement, moving beyond the limitations of informal or temporary jobs.
• Building confidence and reducing anxiety: By focusing on both core and technical skills, the Skills Academy empowers young people with the competencies they need to succeed, reducing anxiety about future job stability. Graduates leave the Skills Academy with not only the technical skills required by employers but also the confidence to thrive in their chosen fields.
• A collaborative approach for long-term impact: Reflecting the ILO’s call for collaboration, the Skills Academy Model creates partnerships between with local employers, TVET providers and community organisations to create an ecosystem that supports sustainable youth employment. This approach promotes regional economic growth and helps build resilient communities.

The Skills Academy Model addresses key issues by equipping youth with market-relevant skills, supporting NEET youth and promoting access to quality jobs. Through collaboration with industry, education and communities, this sustainable solution can help tackle youth unemployment, driving economic growth in the local region and creating a more inclusive, resilient future.