“Youth Employment and Labor Policy”
MARCH 26, 2026
According to the ILO’s “Global Employment Situation – Youth 2024 Edition”, youth employment is improving as the economy recovers from the coronavirus pandemic. The youth unemployment rate in Asia and the Pacific was 13.9% in 2023, falling below the five-year average prior to the COVID-19crisis, which was 14.3%. However, regional disparities are large; while improving in South Asia, the youth unemployment rate in East Asia has reached a record high of 14.5%, and other regions have not recovered to pre-pandemic levels.
Looking at the employment situation of young people in the Asia-Pacific region, the proportion of non-regular employment is increasing. Many young people are employed in precarious, low-paying jobs, and many are forced to engage in informal employment. Youth’s access to education has increased in general, increasing the supply of educated young people, while many young people are unable to find employment after education. One in five young people (20.4%) have NEET status. While digitalization is progressing rapidly, such as the development of AI technology, and the importance of vocational training is increasing, it has also been pointed out that there is a mismatch between the required skills and education and employment. Building a society in which young people who will lead the next generation can work while gaining experience and improving their vocational skills in stable employment has become an important issue.
This seminar will share information and knowledge on the current employment situation of young people in each country and region, the support for transitioning from education to employment, and the measures to create and support employment for young people. We will also discuss future issues and potential solutions.