‘People’s futures on the line’ amid surge in youth unemployment, unions warn

Statistics show 16 to 24-year-olds out of work at highest level since pandemic, a rise of almost 50% in two years

Youth unemployment has risen to a post-pandemic high as unions warned that “young people’s futures are on the line” amid a widespread struggle to find a job.

Official figures showed youth employment has reached its highest level in more than three years. There were 597,000 young people aged 16 to 24 who were unemployed in May to July 2024, an increase of 51,000 from the previous year, according to figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).