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Exclusion Of Youth From Labour Markets Hits New Heights, ILO Warns

The participation of young people in the global labour market is on a sharp decline, particularly in low-income countries, according to the latest report from the International Labour Organization (ILO). This worrying trend highlights a growing challenge: a generation increasingly disconnected from education, employment, and training.

Key Insights

  • Rising NEET Generation: The number of young men classified as part of the NEET generation—neither in education, employment, nor training—has surged, particularly in low-income nations. The ILO reports a 4 percentage point increase in NEET rates among young men in these countries compared to pre-pandemic levels, leaving many vulnerable to economic instability.
  • Gender Disparities Persist: Despite the challenges young men face, their labour market participation still outpaces that of young women. In low-income countries, over 20% of young men are not working or studying, but this figure climbs to a staggering 37% for young women.
  • Global Employment Trends: On a broader scale, the global unemployment rate remains steady at 5%, similar to 2023 levels. However, youth unemployment far exceeds this, sitting at 12.6%—underscoring the disproportionate burden on younger generations.

Structural Challenges

The ILO report also emphasises a troubling return to pre-pandemic levels of informal employment and “in-work poverty.” These issues, combined with wage growth that has yet to fully offset the erosion of incomes due to inflation, signal persistent vulnerabilities for workers worldwide.

Economic And Social Risks

The ILO warns that while central banks have managed to reduce inflation without triggering severe contractions in labour markets, further fiscal tightening could lead to significant social unrest. Declining wages and stalled progress on worker protections only exacerbate these risks.

ILO Recommendations

To combat the exclusion of young people from the labour market and address broader workforce challenges, the ILO suggests:

  1. Investing in Education and Training: Expanding access to vocational education and upskilling opportunities to bridge the gap between education and employment.
  2. Boosting Social Protections: Enhancing safety nets in low-income countries to provide a buffer against economic shocks.
  3. Leveraging Diaspora Resources: Mobilising remittances and diaspora funding to spur local development.
  4. Developing Infrastructure: Creating job opportunities by investing in infrastructure projects, particularly in underdeveloped regions.

Looking Ahead

As youth unemployment and labour market exclusion continue to rise, the stakes are high for governments, organisations, and international institutions. The ILO’s call to action underscores the urgency of addressing these issues to secure a more inclusive and sustainable economic future.

TikTok Returns To US App Stores 

TikTok is once again available for download in the Apple and Google app stores in the US, following a delay in the enforcement of its ban by former President Donald Trump. The ban’s postponement until April 5 gives the administration additional time to evaluate the situation.

Key Developments

The decision to restore TikTok access came after Google and Apple received reassurances from the Trump administration that they would not face legal consequences for reinstating the Chinese-owned app. According to Bloomberg, US Attorney General Pam Bondi sent a letter outlining these guarantees.

In an executive order signed on January 20, Trump instructed the attorney general not to take enforcement action for 75 days, providing time for his administration to determine how to proceed.

Uncertain Future For TikTok In The US

While TikTok is back on the US app stores, its long-term survival remains uncertain. If no deal is reached by early April to address national security concerns, the app may face another shutdown. ByteDance, the parent company, has insisted that TikTok is not for sale.

Legislation And Pressure On ByteDance

The Protecting Americans from Foreign Enemy-Controlled Apps Act, which passed with bipartisan support in Congress, mandates a nationwide ban on TikTok unless ByteDance sells its US operations. This law was signed by President Joe Biden in April of last year.

In late January, the app was briefly removed from US stores following the ban’s activation, impacting over 170 million American users. However, TikTok was restored soon after, following Trump’s intervention in his first hours as president. During that time, he signed an executive order allowing 75 days for a deal that would safeguard national security. Trump also suggested that the US could take a 50% stake in TikTok, a move he believed would keep the app “in good hands.”

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