Jakarta, June 29 2022 – The pandemic made it difficult for youth to get into the workforce, and recent data shows the young workforce experience loss of work 3.5 times more than their older counterparts. In addition, it’s envisaged that future employment will also demand new skills.
Globally, the Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated youth workforce unemployment, although the trend had been increasing prior to that, reaching 13.6% in 2000, 14.4% in 2010, 15.3% in 2019, rising to 17.2% in 2020. Interestingly though, there has been a decline in youth unemployment in G20 countries from 18% in 2021 to 17.1% in 2021. However, in emerging economy countries, the number of unemployed is still high, such as South Africa (63.36%), Brazil (30.5%), Argentine (29.3%), Saudi Arabia (26.4%), Turkey (25.2%) and Indonesia (15.9%).
Furthermore, International Labor Organization (ILO) data shows working conditions have worsened, and securing jobs has become tougher. Other facts arising since the pandemic; youth unemployment has seen an 8.7% increase compared to 3.7% increase in older unemployment in 2022. According to United Nations’ projections, there will be a 7% increase in unemployed youth (15-25) by 2030, and it is estimated that 15% of the entire youth workforce will not be working.
Jobs in the future will also change. McKinsey (2019) predicted around 800 million people will lose their jobs by 2030 due to automation. On the other hand, 75-375 million people have to change their competencies and learn other types of work. Currently it is estimated about 1.3 billion workers are employed in fields that don’t fit their expertise. The problem is that these jobs demand skills in the field of digital technology. The world’s attention towards environmental issues also demands skills that will be required by companies that are environment friendly.
According to the British Council’s Next Generation research on youth around the world, youth are interested in and eager to develop their skills to be more competitive in a changing labour market, including the skills needed to start their own businesses. In particular, there is a need to ensure that young women are provided with the opportunities needed to succeed in employment. Insights from the upcoming research in Indonesia also follow this trend.
“Youth is among the hardest hit by the socio-economic impact of COVID-19 Pandemic. Therefore, it is crucial for policy makers—particularly in middle income countries—to take affirmative action for the youth in addressing the issue of unemployment and underemployment during economic recovery. This requires investment through public and private partnership in skills development and lifelong learning”, said Tauvik Muhamad, Technical Officer for Skill Development, ILO, Jakarta.
Aforementioned matters will come to light in the 4th Global Webinar held by Education, Digitalization and Civic Space Working Group (EDCSWG) on June 29th 2022 featuring source persons from British Council, Youth 20 (Y20), Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation, ILO, Save The Children, with the theme ‘Youth Empowerment for Stronger Post-Pandemic Recovery’.
“Capacity of agility and adaptability of youth with the new normal situation has become the most important game changer. Proactive, passionate engagement of youth with the new normal situation has opened new opportunities for their growth and development”, said M. Obaidur Rahman, Youth Empowerment Advisor, Save the Children Asia Regional Office.
Aforementioned conditions will become a serious problem if not anticipated. Youth’s potential as a productive age has to get more attention from global leaders. The great modality for youth to drive forward growth and development is important and an asset that cannot be wasted. Global civil society’s push for world leaders, including Indonesia, is to give more serious attention on providing jobs for younger generations. They are our future. Challenges ahead, and increasing technological intervention require more adaptive anticipation for the needs of skills required for future jobs.
In summary, the global civil society represented by the C20 ask the government and global leaders to:
ensure significant investment for access in education and trainings to build youth’s capacity on the skills needed to compete in this 21st century;
expand access for disabled youths’ job opportunities in the global workforce and entrepreneurship;
ensure that youth unemployment matters become a priority issue in development and economic recovery post-pandemic planning.
#RecoverTogetherRecoverStronger #C20forG20 #YouAreHeard
Notes for Editor:
About Civil 20
Civil 20 (C20) is one of Group (G20) Engagement Groups which consist of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) around the world and not limited to CSO from C20 country members. C20 focuses on issues regarding civil society on national and global levels. During the Indonesia presidency in 2022, C20 promote 7 (seven) main themes, embodied in 7 (seven) working groups (WG): Gender Equality Working Group (GEWG); Taxation and Sustainable Finance (TSFWG); Environment, Climate Justice and Energy Transition Working Group (ECJEWG); SDGs and Humanitarian Working Group (SDGHWG); Education, Digitalization and Civic Space (EDCSWG); Vaccine Access and Global Health (VAGHWG); and Anti-Corruption Working Group (AWG).