Global and regional youth unemployment trends

Global trends indicate a rise in youth unemployment, with the International Labour Organization reporting a rate of 12.4 percent in 2025, affecting roughly 67 million people aged 15 to 24. The report notes that the percentage of youth not in employment, education, or training (NEET) reached 20 percent. Economic factors such as weak growth and slow job creation are cited as primary drivers, with North American youth unemployment rising to 9.8 percent and European rates remaining at 15 percent.

In India, the labor market reflects these challenges, particularly for the 18–29 age demographic. National data shows a 14.8 percent unemployment rate for this group, which climbs to 29.4 percent among those with tertiary education. This trend is noted to deplete household savings and reduce consumption. Approximately 40.1 percent of tertiary-educated youth in India are categorized as NEET.

While national figures show strain, regional variations exist, such as in the Indian state of Odisha, where the unemployment rate fell from 7 percent to 3.9 percent between 2018-19 and 2022-23, accompanied by an increase in the worker population ratio.