Report warns one in six young people at risk of unemployment within five years

A major new report warns that one in six young people will be out of work and out of education or training within five years if no action is taken. The review highlights that getting a foothold on the career ladder has become 'out of reach' for many young people. Researchers warn of a 'lost generation' unless governments and employers take urgent steps.

A sweeping new report on youth unemployment has sounded the alarm over a growing crisis facing young people in the workforce, warning that one in six will be neither employed nor in education or training within five years without significant intervention.

The review, which examined the root causes of rising youth unemployment, concluded that entering the job market has become increasingly difficult — and for many young people, effectively out of reach. Authors of the report used stark language to describe the stakes, warning that inaction risks producing a "lost generation" of young adults.

A Deepening Employment Crisis

The findings point to a combination of structural and economic factors that have made the transition from education to stable employment dramatically harder in recent years. Rising costs of living, a shortage of entry-level positions, and mismatches between skills taught in schools and those demanded by employers are all cited as contributing factors.

The report calls on governments, businesses, and educational institutions to take coordinated action to reverse the trend. Among the recommendations are expanded apprenticeship programmes, stronger career guidance in schools, and incentives for employers to take on young workers with limited experience.

Urgent Call for Action

Authors stressed that the window to act is narrow. If current trends continue, the proportion of young people disconnected from both work and training will grow steadily, with long-term consequences not only for individuals but for broader economies and social cohesion. The report frames the issue as one of the defining economic challenges of the coming decade.