Economic factors and youth exclusion

Demographic shifts and the emergence of new youth groups requires a range of measures to ensure the integration of youth in all vital areas, including economic life, and to provide them with opportunities to employ their capacities and enhance their participation. The numbers of young people in the ESCWA region have multiplied and the investment of countries in education has grown in an attempt to ensure the wider participation of young people in the future. Yet, in many cases, because of high rates of youth unemployment and unproductive employment, the huge investments were ineffective, thus impeding economic growth and excluding and marginalizing numerous human capacities. Youth economic exclusion and youth unemployment in the ESCWA region are associated to some extent with demographic shifts. However, they are linked primarily to economic structures and their flexibility; and the openness of local markets and their capacity to absorb new arrivals, by providing opportunities for decent work and ensuring smooth transition from the educational system to work. ESCWA member countries, like other Arab countries, have some of the highest rates of youth unemployment in the world. However, young people are unequal in terms of economic exclusion; in fact, unemployment rates are exceptionally high among females, giving youth exclusion a gender bias. The composition of the unemployed youth thwarts the economic integration of first-time job seekers, hindering the transition from education to work and posing various economic and development policy challenges.

Related Subject(s): Population and Demography