Frightening youth unemployment challenge

A new report by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has revealed that 67 million young people are unemployed globally. The report also disclosed that over 257 million young people are not working. They are also neither in school nor undergoing any training. ILO says that the development is a very serious problem for poor or growing countries where rapidly growing youth populations face shortage of decent and productive jobs.

The situation is further worsened in developing countries by lack of safety nets like unemployment benefits. This can make job loss devastating for families and national stability. The report titled, “Global Employment Trends for Youth 2026: Back to the Future Report,” showed that the global youth unemployment rate rose to 12.4 per cent in 2025, up from 12.3 per cent in 2024. The development, it says, has reversed some of the gains recorded in youth labour markets after the COVID-19 pandemic.

It also pointed out that the proportion of young people not in employment; education or training (NEET) has risen slightly to 20 per cent. This represents over 257 young people globally. The global UN agency traced the development to stagnant economic growth, weak job creation, geopolitical tensions and rapid technological change, which make transition from school to decent work increasingly difficult for young people in developing countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.

According to the report, about nine in 10 young workers aged 15 to 29 in low-and lower-middle income countries are employed informally, limiting their access to stable incomes, social protection and other protections associated with decent work.  The report said that between 2023 and 2025, youth unemployment rates increased in eight of the world’s 11 sub-regions, as slowing economic growth, weak job creation, geographical tensions and rapid technological change push countries toward a new youth jobs crisis.

For instance, North America witnessed a sharp increase from 8.3 per cent to 9.8 per cent, while Europe had a high rate of 15 per cent. Also, in Northern, Southern and Western Europe, youth unemployment remained high at 15 per cent in 2025, with 20 of the 29 countries in the sub-region reporting weaker job opportunities for young people. Similarly, the Arab States and North Africa had the highest regional rates at 26.2 per cent and 22.6 per cent, respectively.

Concerning the global youth jobs crisis, the ILO Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo, said that “a generation that cannot find decent work cannot build its future with confidence. When young people are locked out of quality employment, countries lose talents, productivity and social cohesion. Creating decent jobs for young people is not just a social imperative, it is one of the smartest investments a country can make.”

The concerns of ILO boss should be noted by middle- and low-income countries, especially countries in sub-Saharan Africa, where the youth unemployment challenge is very acute. In Nigeria, the youth unemployment has reached a frightening dimension with many migrating abroad for decent jobs. We recall during an event to mark this year’s International Youth Day in Abuja, a survey showed that 73 per cent of young Nigerians are planning to move abroad as a result of unemployment, limited economic opportunities and poor access to capital.

The Nigerian Youth Pulse Survey, which was unveiled in Abuja at a dialogue organised by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands and its Youth Advisory Committee to mark the International Youth Day, indicated that “most respondents were not seeking to leave the country for a foreign dream but in search of jobs, skills and sustainable livelihoods.” The outcome of the survey is revealing enough about the youth unemployment crisis. While 60.9 per cent of the respondents seeking steady income identified lack of capital and access to finance as their biggest obstacle, 49.1 per cent cited inadequate job opportunities. About 85.5 per cent of the respondents would like to stay in Nigeria if government provides better economic opportunities. The survey revealed a link between unemployment and insecurity.

The youth unemployment crisis is indeed a time bomb which will explode with dire consequences if not checked promptly. The youth jobs crisis should no longer be waved aside. The situation is precarious. Every nation makes good use of its youthful population. Nigeria should also create jobs for its youthful population. Migration to Europe and America and other foreign countries cannot solve the youth unemployment crisis.

Since agriculture is labour-intensive, government should use the development of the sector to create more jobs for the youth, earn foreign exchange as well as ensure the nation’s food security. The manufacturing sector must be deepened to create more jobs. The diversification of the economy away from crude oil will grow our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and strengthen the economy. The President and the governors should meet and come up with new strategies to confront the growing youth unemployment.