The infographic highlights the growing number of young people entering the workforce and the need for labor markets to adapt to accommodate them. It also emphasizes the disproportionate impact of poor labor market conditions on youth compared to adults, and the importance of addressing this issue to ensure a sustainable future for all.
Hundreds of millions of young people in the Global South face uncertain futures due to poor access to quality education, inadequate skills, and limited employment opportunities. By 2033, the Global South will host 1.2 billion people ages 15 to 24. However, unless current trends are reversed, only 480 million will attend school, and 420 million will have jobs (often precarious ones), leaving 300 million inactive. Youth inactivity negatively impacts lifelong opportunities, earnings, mobility, and mental health.
In this paper, Youth Business International (YBI) and Habitat in Türkiye shine a light on the potential of youth-led businesses that have outgrown microfinance and start-up support but are still considered too small or high-risk for mainstream investment. These businesses—often innovative and rooted in their communities—are overlooked despite their immense potential to create jobs, generate revenue, and drive sustainable economic growth. They fall into the “missing middle”.
The green economy is projected to generate 8.4 million jobs for young people by 2030, spanning industries such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, waste management and eco-tourism. However, for many young people, particularly those from marginalized communities, the pathway to green jobs is fraught with barriers.
The Youth Entrepreneurship Policy Framework published by the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) and Youth Business International (YBI) equips policymakers and entrepreneur support organizations with fresh perspectives and actionable steps to harness this opportunity and empower the new generation. The framework features: emerging trends in youth employment and entrepreneurship; barriers to youth entrepreneurship; and practical recommendations for policymakers and ESOs to adopt to tackle challenges facing young entrepreneurs
To foster a vibrant ecosystem where young green and social entrepreneurs can thrive and contribute to sustainable development, YBI and Development Solutions call for governments, financial institutions, and development agencies to: create dedicated investment funds, subsidize sustainable production, streamline regulatory frameworks, standardize impact measurement, and integrate green and social entrepreneurship into education.
This is a report about the Nestlé Needs YOUth Initiative. It discusses the initiative's goals and achievements over ten years. The initiative was launched to improve young people's employment prospects. It has since expanded to include entrepreneurship and agripreneurship programs. Nestlé Needs YOUth has provided thousands of work opportunities and training sessions. The program emphasizes mentorship and aims to empower young people.
The objective of this report is to provide an understanding of the context, barriers, and practices related to approaches that increase employment and quality of employment among youth with disabilities, primarily in lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This report largely draws on existing literature, activity reports, and consultations with practitioners and individuals with disabilities.
The report highlights the achievements of Better Work, a program by the ILO and IFC, tackles challenges in the garment industry. It aims for good working conditions and business growth together. They work in 12 countries, helping factories follow labor laws and improve competitiveness. Their methods include assessments, training, and encouraging communication between workers,employers, and governments. Better Work's research shows positive impacts on workers' lives, businesses, and garment industry as a whole.
This Short Note aimed to develop a more comprehensive UN approach, tackling issues like human rights and ethical labor practices within the fashion sector. Essentially, the event focused on how the UN can work together to create a more sustainable future for fashion.
