Youth Unemployment An International Perspective

This text discusses in depth the youth unemployment problem and examines the various policy responses to it, including education and training, and active labour market policy. The book offers specific recommendations for this age group in industrialized, transition and developing countries.

This timely book introduces a fresh perspective on youth unemployment by analysing it as a global phenomenon. Ross Fergusson and Nicola Yeates argue that only by incorporating analysis of the dynamics of the global economy and global governance can we make convincing, comprehensive sense of these developments. The authors present substantial new evidence spanning a century pointing to the strong relationships between youth unemployment, globalisation, economic crises and consequent harms to young people’s social and economic welfare worldwide. The book notably encompasses data and analysis spanning the Global South as well as the Global North.

Persistent unemployment and rising wage differences at the expense of low-skilled workers has characterized the labor market in most developed countries. Since the last economic crisis, unemployment rates and pay inequalities have increased among workers under 25 years of age, thus creating an ever-widening financial gap for an entire generation. Those who do not have a qualification or post-secondary diploma often find themselves in precarious jobs at minimum wage. Countries are now working to adopt reforms to improve the situation of young people in the labor market. International Perspectives on the Youth Labor Market: Emerging Research and Opportunities provides emerging research exploring the theoretical and practical aspects of financial inequality and applications within global economics. Unlike literature that focuses only on developed countries, this book also addresses emerging economies whose labor market is often characterized by a dualism that makes the situation of young workers worse. Featuring coverage on a broad range of topics such as unemployment rate, labor reform, and job insecurity, this book is ideally designed for economists, government officials, policymakers, executives, managers, business professionals, researchers, academicians, and students.

First published in 1983, Youth, Education and Employment tries to highlight the scale of the problem of youth unemployment in industrial societies by examining it from a variety of angles, and by drawing upon developments in other countries including those of the developing world. Examples are taken from France, Germany, Denmark and Sweden as well as from the United Kingdom, and also from Cuba and small island communities. This important volume shows the underlying causes of youth unemployment and offers positive solutions in particular stressing the need for a reappraisal of many educational practices. This book is a must read for educationists, policy makers and students of public policy.