The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated a gulf between generations with people aged under 25 far more likely to be unemployed, a new global report has revealed.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development said unemployment rates have surged by 4.9 per cent since February - from 11.7 per cent to 16.6 per cent - for those aged 15 to 24, more than double the rise for those aged 25 and over.
The stark statistics are based on a survey of 34 OECD member countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom and Spain, eight further non-member nations, the European Commission and 81 youth organisations.
The report states that while younger people are less likely to suffer ill health as a result of the virus, they are bearing a heavy cost brought about by worldwide lockdowns, the shutdown of education institutes and the ongoing impact on the economy.
Young people are likely to have less job security, less disposable income and find it harder to get on the housing ladder, the study by the intergovernmental economic organisation stated.
"Youth across OECD countries enjoy unprecedented access to information, education and technology," found the report titled Governance for Youth, Trust and Intergenerational Justice.
"However, the repercussions of the global financial crisis in the late 2000s, the Covid-19 pandemic and global transformations such as climate change, ageing, digitisation, and rising inequalities have created uncertainties about the future young people and unborn generations face."
During the pandemic, students lost part-time jobs and had fewer financial reserves to fall back on.
The study found that countrywide lockdowns and social distancing measures in place in many OECD countries had disrupted everyday life.
“The pandemic hit OECD countries at a moment when many young people had barely recovered from the repercussions of the 2007-08 global financial crisis," stated the report.
“When youth are not active in social life and the labour market, the costs for societies and economies are high.
"Their absence undermines social cohesion, productivity, and the potential for inclusive growth."
Across OECD countries, the 2007-08 crisis left 15 million young people unemployed, while one in ten jobs held by people under the age of 30 was lost, found the report.
In 2017, on average across OECD countries, one in 10 young people aged 15-24 was not in education, employment or training.
This lead to an economic cost of between 0.9 per cent and 1.5 per cent of OECD GDP.
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A protester (R) wears a face shield with an image of Victoria's state premier Daniel Andrews on it as speaks to police during an anti-lockdown rally in Melbourne, as the city continues to enforce strict lockdown measure to battle a second wave of COVID-19 coronavirus infections. AFP -
Cast members wear personal protective equipment as they prepare backstage during the drama "Retrograde Man" in Wuhan, Hubei province, China. The drama, paying tribute to medical staff, portrays a doctor's rescue of coronavirus patients during the lockdown in Wuhan. As there have been no recorded cases of community transmissions since May, life for residents is gradually returning to normal. Getty Images -
Medical workers deliver deliver cupcakes to patients infected by the COVID-19 to celebrate new year's day of 2013 on Ethiopian calendar, at the makeshift hospital installed inside Millenium Hall, one of the country's largest event centers, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. AFP -
A medical worker brushes the hair of a patient affected with COVID-19 in a Marseille hospital, southern France. As the Marseille region has become France's latest virus hotspot, hospitals are re-activating emergency measures in place when the pandemic first hit to ensure they're able to handle growing new cases. AP Photo -
An Indian woman wearing white protective gear mourns after taking a glimpse of her husband's body, a victim of COVID 19, at a cremation ground in Gauhati, India. India reported another record spike of 95,735 new coronavirus infections in the past 24 hours as the virus spreads beyond its major cities. The ministry said the surge in new infections is due to ramping of daily testing that exceeds 1 million now. However, experts caution that India’s outbreak is entering a more dangerous phase as the virus spreads to smaller towns and villages. AP Photo -
People watch as police stand guard in front of the Shrine of Remembrance during an anti-lockdown rally in Melbourne, as the city continues to enforce strict lockdown measure to battle a second wave of COVID-19 coronavirus infections. AFP -
A man is detained by police during an anti-lockdown rally in Melbourne, Australia. Anti-lockdown protesters organised a "freedom walk" to demonstrate against Melbourne's current Stage 4 COVID-19 restrictions. While organisers claim the gathering is legal, Victoria police said they would be monitoring protest activity, with anyone considered to be breaching the Chief Health Officer's directives liable for a fine of $1652. Metropolitan Melbourne remains under stage 4 lockdown restrictions, with people only allowed to leave home to give or receive care, shopping for food and essential items, daily exercise and work while an overnight curfew from 8pm to 5am is also in place. The majority of retail businesses are also closed. Other Victorian regions are in stage 3 lockdown. The restrictions, which came into effect from 2 August, were introduced by the Victorian government as health authorities work to reduce community COVID-19 transmissions across the state. Getty Images -
An elderly couple wearing face masks to protect against the coronavirus walks at a public park in Beijing. Even as China has largely controlled the outbreak, the coronavirus is still surging across other parts of the world. AP Photo -
A city worker holds a dog at the animal city shelter in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. After seeing the number of adoptions go down to zero in the beginning of the new coronavirus pandemic, the Rio city shelter is celebrating the success of their Pet Delivery program. Now, administrators running animal shelter are offering pets through a virtual system that allows prospective owners to browse online and, after choosing a pet, the shelter brings the animal to their homes, bathed, spayed and with all inoculations. AP Photo -
A member of staff checks the temperature of theatregoers as a precaution against the transmission of the novel coronavirus upon their arrival ahead of a performance of Sleepless the Musical at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre in London. At the Troubadour, in Wembley Park, northwest London, on Thursday night, theatre-goers had their temperatures taken and were told to wear face masks throughout the performance. Most British theatres are have not reopened following the coronavirus lockdown but the pop-up venue has been able to adapt to social distancing rules. Its 1,200 capacity has been cut to 400 seats, and a one-way route has been put in place along with hand-washing and disinfecting facilities. Audiences complied and didn't seem to mind. AFP -
A member of the "Bora Testar" or Let's Test project, interviews resident Marina Almeida, in the Paraisopolis neighborhood of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The project plans to test up to 600 people for COVID-19 in the low income neighborhood, and to expand to other vulnerable communities in the country, financed by crowdfunding and donations. AP Photo -
Maria Hernandez, 38, (top, L) embraces her aunt through a transparent curtain at a Hogar Jardin de Los Abuelitos nursing home as a nurse watches them, in San Salvador, amid the new coronavirus pandemic. According to geriatrician Luis Bermudes, the use of a kind of curtain that allows the elderly guests to be hugged by their relatives without the risk of being infected from COVID-19 is a measure to avoid depression and anxiety. AFP
The study recommended that governments remove barriers to youth participation in politics, create programmes to help young people join the public sector, and provide programmes for inter-generational learning.
Suggestions included strengthening volunteering and youth work opportunities, investing in youth strategies, and making targeted policies to help young people.
Governments also need to show a strong commitment to reduce inequalities within different age groups and promote age diversity in decision-making.
The Arab Youth Survey 2021, reported earlier in October, that one in five young Arabs said they or someone in their family had lost their job due to coronavirus.
The survey reported that 72 per cent said it was “much more difficult” or a “little more difficult” to find a job now compared with the pre-Covid era.
In the UAE, 41 per cent said finding a new job is more difficult now than before the pandemic.
The report also found that more than four in 10 people aged 18 to 24 had thought about or were attempting to emigrate.
The youth survey involved face-to-face interviews with 4,000 people in 17 countries.
The survey found that 35 per cent of respondents had personal debt, up from 15 per cent five years ago.
