Youth Unemployment is an issue that is affecting nearly every developed country across the western world. While some labour market and output indicators may show some signs of recovery, youth unemployment is a reminder that the greatest recession to hit the developed world since the great depression has left some wounds that won't heal. While many countries experienced high levels of youth unemployment before the recession owing to structural problems, the current rates reflect a bad situation made worse.
Unemployment is harder to eradicate among younger age groups and harder still the longer it lasts. Young people miss out on developing skills and gaining experience, not to mention the effects on personal life and starting a family. While reductions in overall unemployment are not to be ignored, if youth unemployment rates remain at such elevated levels, any recovery will be short-lived.
For Northern Ireland recent statistics from the Labour Force Survey and Claimant count confirm the continuing rise in youth joblessness. The situation is far worse for those classified as NEET (Not in education training or employment) which constitute 21% of the 18-24 yr population. These Eurostat figures are contained in indicator 2.7 of the NERI Quarterly Economic Facts Winter 2013.