AI Threatens to Deepen Global Youth Employment Crisis as Joblessness Rises
Young people are facing a worsening employment outlook as weak economic growth and limited job creation push global youth unemployment higher, while the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence could create additional pressure on entry-level jobs, the International Labour Organization has warned.
The ILO said the unemployment rate among people aged 15 to 24 rose to 12.4 per cent in 2025, representing about 67 million young people worldwide. The increase reversed some of the progress recorded after the COVID-19 pandemic, with youth unemployment rising across eight of the organisation’s 11 global subregions between 2023 and 2025.
The shortage of opportunities is also reflected in the number of young people outside employment, education or training. Their share reached 20 per cent, equivalent to more than 257 million people. The Arab States recorded the highest youth unemployment rate at 26.2 per cent, followed by Northern Africa at 22.6 per cent.
The ILO warned that the decline in middle-skilled jobs could make it harder for young people entering the workforce, particularly those leaving secondary school or university, to secure their first jobs. It also estimated that 6.1 per cent of jobs held by workers aged 15 to 29 are highly exposed to changes driven by AI. At the same time, high-skilled sectors such as healthcare, science, engineering and information technology continue to create opportunities, while nearly nine in 10 young workers in low and lower-middle-income countries remain in informal employment with limited labour and social protection.
