Young people are almost three times more likely to be unemployed than adults and continuously exposed to lower quality of jobs, greater labor market inequalities, and longer and more insecure school-to-work transitions. In addition, women are more likely to be underemployed and under-paid, and to undertake part-time jobs or work under temporary contracts. One reason for youth unemployment is structural unemployment, a mismatch between the skills that workers in the economy can offer and the skills demanded of workers by employers. Structural unemployment affects all regions around the world and it impacts not only economies but also hampers the transition to equitable and inclusive societies envisaged in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Skills development is a primary means of enabling young people to make a smooth transition to work. Skills and jobs for youth feature prominently in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and SDG target 4.4 calls for a substantial increase in the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills. World Youth Skills Day In December 2014, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring 15th July as World Youth Skills Day. The goal is to achieve better socio-economic conditions for today’s youth as a means of addressing the challenges of unemployment and under employment. World Youth Skills Day 2026 The theme for 2026 World Youth Skills Day is "Skills for a Shared Future". The world of work is changing rapidly. Artificial intelligence, the green transition and growing social complexity are transforming how we learn, work and participate in society. To thrive in this changing landscape, young people need more than technical skills alone. They need a balanced set of competencies that combines technical, digital, AI, green, social-emotional and civic skills with the human qualities that technology cannot replace. Under the theme "Skills for a shared future", this year's World Youth Skills Day activities will spotlight the urgent need for innovative youth skills programmes—initiatives that empower young people not only to adapt, but to lead with empathy, bridge cultural divides, build resilience, and actively shape a more sustainable and inclusive tomorrow. Did You Know? 1 in 5 individuals aged 15–24 are not in employment, education or training (NEET). 28.2% (nearly 1 in 3) of young women are in NEET, compared to 13.1% of young men. 40% of today’s skillsets no longer match job market needs. 65 million youth were unemployed globally in 2023. 22% of jobs will transform by 2030 due to technological disruption. Fewer than 1% of poor rural women complete secondary school in many countries. 22% of jobs will transform by 2030 due to technological disruption. 86% of students do not feel prepared for an AI enabled workplace. 70% of youth (450 million) are economically disengaged due to lack of adequate skills for the labour market. 273;million children and young people are out of school. Source: UN Related resources UNESCO-UNEVOC Youth and Skills WorldSkills United Nations resolution on WYSD United Nations - World Youth Report (WYR)