ILO: Global Youth Unemployment Rises in 2025 Amid Slow Growth and Escalating AI Threats
The United Nations' International Labour Organization (ILO) has announced an increase in the global youth unemployment rate for the year 2025. This rise is attributed to sluggish economic growth, escalating geopolitical tensions, and the slow pace of new job creation.
The organization also issued a stark warning that the rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies threatens to impose further negative pressures on the youth labor market.
Global Statistics and the Reversal of Gains
The global unemployment rate for the 15-to-24 age group climbed to 12.4% in 2025, up from 12.3% in 2023. This translates to approximately 67 million unemployed young people worldwide.
This uptick marks a reversal of the employment gains recorded in the post-COVID-19 era, signaling a decline in both the quality and quantity of jobs available to new labor market entrants. Furthermore, the proportion of youth Not in Employment, Education, or Training (NEET) rose to 20%, representing over 257 million individuals globally.
Regional Disparities in Youth Unemployment
The report highlighted severe regional disparities, with the Arab world and North Africa suffering the highest rates. Advanced economies also experienced a noticeable setback.
The following table breaks down the youth unemployment rates across key regions:
RegionYouth Unemployment Rate (2025)Notes / Comparison
Arab States26.2%Highest rate globally
North Africa22.6%Second-highest rate globally
North, West, and South Europe15.0%-
North America9.8%Up from 8.3% in 2023
The Squeeze on Middle-Skill Jobs
In the same context, the ILO report shed light on the continuous contraction of available opportunities within middle-skill occupations. The most affected roles facing shrinking demand include:
Administrative tasks
Sales positions
Manufacturing and assembly line jobs