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139 million youth (ages 15-24) are currently working in the labor force.
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13% of the world’s youth (ages 15–24) are unemployed — that’s 74 million young people.
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For every year of schooling a woman completes, her earning potential goes up 20 percent.
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According to World Bank, some places around the globe still legally restrict women from having the same choice of jobs as men.
Does 15 seem too young to have
a full–time job?
In many impoverished countries, youth drop out of school and enter the workforce, taking physically demanding jobs for little pay to help contribute at home.
TERMS TO KNOW: “INFORMAL EMPLOYMENT”?
Informal employment defines jobs, like day laborers, that aren't regulated, taxed or protected. Workers may face dangerous conditions, discrimination and unpaid wages if they choose to take on this type of employment. In Guatemala and Honduras, up to 80% of working youth (age 15–24) are informally employed and choose to do so out of necessity to help provide for their families.
Ready-Set-Grow
Our programs prepare youth to take on in-demand jobs in their communities. Workshops and programs teach our youth how to search for a job, networking skills, résumé building and interview prep tips.
Learn more about Employment
Sources
- World Bank Employment Policy Primer, 2010
- UN WESO, 2015
- UN FAO, 2014
- World Bank eLibrary. “Returns on Investments in Education,” 2002
- UNESCO: EFA Global Monitoring Report, Youth and skills: Putting Education to Work, 2012