Sub-Saharan Africa
A bulging young population and large number of young people in the labour market result in growing numbers of young unemployed, despite the stable youth unemployment rate. Informality is the rule for young women and men in sub-Saharan Africa.
9 million
young people are currently unemployed
65 million
young people are working but living in poverty
19 per cent
of young people are not in employment, education or training
Middle East and North Africa
The youth unemployment rate is the highest in the world, with young women particularly unlikely to enter the workforce.
More than 5 million
young people are currently unemployed
25 per cent
young people in Arab States are trapped in working poverty. This is more than per cent in Northern Africa.
34 per cent
of young people in Arab States are not in employment, education or training. This figure is 27 per cent in the Northern Africa.
Latin America and the Caribbean
The high number of young people in informal work is a major policy concern. There are significant gender differences, with young women making up the majority of NEET youth.
9 million
young people are currently unemployed
3 million
young people are working but living in poverty
22 per cent
of young people are not in employment, education or training
Northern America
Ageing societies create uncertainty in labour markets and have a profound effect on young people’s economic prospects and working conditions.
2 million
young people are currently unemployed
14 per cent
of young people are not in employment, education or training
52 per cent
of young women are either working or looking for work
Asia and the Pacific
Low household incomes and limited access to education drive young people into informal work at early ages. The gender gap has widened in Eastern Asia and in South-Eastern Asia and the Pacific.
35 million
young people are currently unemployed
55 million
young people are working but living in poverty work
31 per cent
of young people in Southern Asia are not in employment, education or training. This figure is 18 per cent in South-Eastern Asia and the Pacific and 17 per cent in Eastern Asia.
Europe and Central Asia
Long periods of unemployment hurt job prospects for youth and hinder their ability to develop new skills.
6 million
young people are currently unemployed
More than 1 million
young people in Central Asia and Western Asia are working but living in poverty
22 per cent
of young people in Central and Western Asia are not in employment, education or training. This figure is 15 per cent in Eastern Europe and 11 per cent in Northern, Southern and Western Europe.
