The First Job Is Getting Harder to Find, Says the ILO
An August report links young people's job prospects with both employment opportunities and the quality of available work.
Estimated CEFR reading level: B2. Explicit statistical bases, contrasts between measures and qualified discussion of technology support upper-intermediate reading. This is an editorial estimate, not an official certification.
Five useful words
British English pronunciation (IPA). Audio uses an available English voice on your device.
unemployment /ˌʌnɪmˈplɔɪmənt/
nounThe situation of people without work who are seeking and available for it.
The report measures youth unemployment.
labour force /ˈleɪbə fɔːs/
nounPeople who are employed or unemployed under the relevant statistical definition.
The rate is measured against the youth labour force.
apprenticeship /əˈprentɪsʃɪp/
nounA period of structured work and training to learn an occupation.
An apprenticeship can combine practice with study.
prospect /ˈprɒspekt/
nounA possibility or chance of a future outcome.
Training may improve a person's job prospects.
social protection /ˌsəʊʃəl prəˈtekʃən/
nounSystems that help people manage loss of income and other risks.
Social protection can support workers during difficult periods.
The story
A difficult first step
The first step into work can shape much more than a CV. An International Labour Organization report released on 11 August 2026 describes a harder path for young people seeking secure employment.
The ILO estimates that 67 million people aged 15-24 were unemployed in 2025, a youth unemployment rate of 12.4%. That percentage concerns the youth labour force, not every person in the age group. Students who are not seeking work are not automatically counted as unemployed.
More than one measure
The report also says 20% of young people were outside employment, education or training. This is a different measure: it considers whether someone is connected to work or learning.
The ILO calls for investment in skills, apprenticeships, employment services and social protection. It also discusses technological change, while acknowledging uncertainty about AI's direct impact. The report does not say that AI caused every lost opportunity. Its broader message is that counting jobs is insufficient when available work offers little security or room to progress.
Three questions
Try answering before you open the answer. You can use your own words.
- Which age group is used for the 67 million estimate?
Show answer
People aged 15-24.
- Does 12.4% mean 12.4% of all young people?
Show answer
No. It refers to the youth labour force.
- Does the report establish that AI caused every job difficulty?
Show answer
No. It acknowledges uncertainty about the direct impact of AI.
Let's talk about it
A few ideas to chat about - pick any that interest you.
- What would make a first day at work feel welcoming?
- Which skill would you have liked more chances to practise before starting work?
- How do you feel about learning a job through an apprenticeship?
- What would make a job advertisement useful to someone with little work experience?
- Would you prefer to learn a new skill in a classroom, at work or through a mix of both?
Practise a useful pattern
Use refers to to clarify a number: The rate refers to the youth labour force. Write a sentence distinguishing the unemployment rate from the measure of people outside work and learning.
Frequently asked questions
Is this report new in October?
No. The ILO released it on 11 August 2026; this learning article was published in October.
Are unemployment and being outside work, education or training the same measure?
No. They describe different groups and use different statistical bases.
Sources and editorial notes
Original learning article by Poly-Puff, written from the factual sources below. Sources checked on 16 October 2026. The artwork and learning activities were created for this article.
The ILO announcement and report landing page were read directly. Figures concern 2025 and the report was released in August, not October. The labour-force denominator is distinguished from the full youth population. The text makes no causal claim that AI alone explains job losses.
