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CodeSL.UEM.1524.ZS
Indicator NameUnemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) (modeled ILO estimate)
Long definitionYouth unemployment refers to the share of the labor force ages 15-24 without work but available for and seeking employment.
SourceInternational Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in September 2018.
TopicSocial Protection & Labor: Unemployment
PeriodicityAnnual
Aggregation methodWeighted average
Limitations and exceptionsThe criteria for people considered to be seeking work, and the treatment of people temporarily laid off or seeking work for the first time, vary across countries. In many cases it is especially difficult to measure employment and unemployment in agriculture. The timing of a survey can maximize the effects of seasonal unemployment in agriculture. And informal sector employment is difficult to quantify where informal activities are not tracked. There may be also persons not currently in the labour market who want to work but do not actively "seek" work because they view job opportunities as limited, or because they have restricted labour mobility, or face discrimination, or structural, social or cultural barriers. The exclusion of people who want to work but are not seeking work (often called the "hidden unemployed" or "discouraged workers") is a criterion that will affect the unemployment count of both women and men. However, women tend to be excluded from the count for various reasons. Women suffer more from discrimination and from structural, social, and cultural barriers that impede them from seeking work. Also, women are often responsible for the care of children and the elderly and for household affairs. They may not be available for work during the short reference period, as they need to make arrangements before starting work. Further, women are considered to be employed when they are working part-time or in temporary jobs, despite the instability of these jobs or their active search for more secure employment.
General commentsData up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections. National estimates are also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.
License TypeCC BY-4.0
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