Global Youth Unemployment Hits 12.4 Percent Amid Economic Stagnation

The U.N. labour agency identifies a troubling decline in middle-skilled positions, which traditionally served as the primary gateway for new entrants to the job market. This shift has exacerbated the NEET crisis, leaving 257 million young individuals—roughly 20% of the demographic—without employment, education, or training.

Technological disruption adds another layer of complexity to the recovery. Automation driven by artificial intelligence threatens to displace workers in high-income nations, where an estimated 6.1% of existing jobs face immediate risk. As industries pivot toward AI-integrated workflows, the gap between current skill sets and market demands continues to widen, threatening long-term economic stability for the next generation.