More than 257 Million Youth Unemployed Globally, Unemployment Pressures the Arab Region

Global labor markets are facing a growing challenge in absorbing young people, as the number of job seekers rises and concerns mount over the widening gap between the skills possessed by the new generation and the demands of a changing economy.

According to data from the International Labour Organization (ILO), the global youth unemployment rate reached 12.4% in 2025, while the number of young people not in employment, education, or training exceeded 257 million. Arab countries and North Africa stand out among the most affected regions, with youth unemployment rates reaching 26.2% in Arab countries and 22.6% in North Africa, according to figures in the report.

At the same time, technological transformation is posing new challenges. The ILO estimates that 6.1% of jobs held by young people aged 15 to 29 fall into categories highly exposed to change due to artificial intelligence. The organization calls for investment in education, training, skills development, and social protection to help young people keep pace with the rapid transformations in the labor market.