Youth unemployment and education trends in Latin America

Reports from Peru and Chile highlight significant challenges regarding the youth population that is neither studying nor working.

In Peru, the Minister of Labor and Employment Promotion, Juan Sheput, stated that approximately 1.5 million young people are not in education or employment. He noted that nearly half a million youths have no intention of entering the labor market or educational system. Sheput warned that this exclusion is a matter of public security, as lack of formal employment can increase vulnerability to criminal activities. He suggested that a GDP growth rate of roughly 6% would be necessary to absorb the 300,000 new individuals entering the economically active population annually.

In Chile, data from the May-July 2026 quarter shows that 21.6% of individuals aged 25 to 34 are neither studying nor working, with over 20% of this group living with their parents. Experts attribute these trends to limited job opportunities, interrupted education, and domestic care responsibilities. Academic Daniela Estobar noted that restricted opportunities can delay life decisions. Regional organizations like CEPAL and the ILO have observed that the transition from education to employment is heavily influenced by socioeconomic conditions and gender, noting that the term ‘nini’ may not account for those engaged in unpaid domestic work.