High Youth Unemployment Under Employment
The issue of high youth unemployment and under-employment has become one of the most pressing socio-economic challenges across the world — especially in developing nations like India.
Youth Unemployment
Youth unemployment refers to the percentage of young people (usually aged 15–29) who are actively seeking but unable to find work. It highlights a gap between the number of educated or skilled youths and the number of available job opportunities.
In India, as of mid-2025, the overall unemployment rate stands around 5.6%, but for young people, it’s nearly three times higher — around 18.8% in urban areas and 13.8% in rural areas.
Under-Employment
Under-employment means that even if young people have jobs, those jobs:
- Do not match their education or skills,
- Offer very low wages or part-time hours,
- Are unstable, informal, or temporary,
- Provide no long-term career growth.
For example, an engineering graduate driving a delivery vehicle or working as a data-entry operator is considered under-employed — because their job does not use their real qualifications or potential.
Major Causes
- Skill Gap: Many youths graduate with degrees that don’t match current industry demands.
- Jobless Growth: India’s economy is growing, but formal job creation is slow, especially in manufacturing and services.
- Automation & AI: Technology is replacing traditional entry-level jobs, reducing demand for manual or repetitive work.
- Informal Sector Dominance: Most available jobs are temporary or unregulated, offering low pay and no benefits.
- Rural to Urban Migration: Youths moving to cities face high competition and limited openings in formal sectors.
Impact on Society
- Economic Waste: The country loses valuable productivity and innovation potential.
- Mental Health Issues: Prolonged joblessness leads to stress, depression, and hopelessness among young people.
- Social Frustration: Youth dissatisfaction can trigger protests, migration, or loss of trust in governance.
- Delayed Adulthood: Many postpone marriage, housing, or family planning due to financial instability.
Way Forward
- Vocational & Digital Skills Training: Aligning education with real market needs.
- Encouraging Entrepreneurship: Start-up support and easy credit for youth-led ventures.
- Public-Private Partnership: Collaboration to create job-linked skill programs.
- Focus on Green & Tech Jobs: Preparing youth for emerging sectors like renewable energy, IT, and automation.
- Government Initiatives: Strengthening employment guarantee schemes and urban job creation programs.
Conclusion
High youth unemployment and under-employment are not just economic statistics — they represent wasted talent, lost dreams, and delayed progress. Empowering the young generation with the right skills, opportunities, and support systems is essential to transform this challenge into a force for innovation and inclusive growth.