Youth employment in Asia and the Pacific

The Asia and the Pacific region is home to more than 600 million youth aged 15-24 and their contribution is key to the region’s productivity and inclusive development. Even before the COVID-19 crisis, youth faced vulnerabilities and inequalities in the labour market, more likely to be unemployed than adults and with high rates of informal employment. Technology, climate change and other drivers are rapidly changing the future labour market prospects for youth. Addressing the youth employment challenge requires a transformative, human-centred and gender-responsive approach that promotes full, productive and freely chosen employment and decent work for all young people aspiring to work, contributing to the region’s inclusive and sustainable growth.