Youth Unemployment

Youth unemployment is two and a half times that of the unemployment in the population as a whole.

In the early 1990s, the youth unemployment level reached 17%, substantially above where we are now, but even though this is not the worse it's ever been, unemployment for the young is still a big issue.

In some respects, one. might expect this trend, as young people take time to figure out what they want to do and then more time to find a place in either their chosen career or whatever job is available to them.

However the hardships caused by youth unemployment are also likely to be severely affected by the wealth inequality of their families and support groups.

Those from high income families may not experience any hardship if they live at home and are supported by their families. Those from lower income households are likely to have fewer resources to fall back upon. Unemployment for them will mean being in more confined accommodation for longer periods, a lack of money to spend on things to do and pressure to bring in an income for the family.

Source: Data is from the ONS for January 2021. Data table at: https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peoplenotinwork/unemployment/datasets/unemploymentbyageanddurationnotseasonallyadjustedunem01nsa