Tackling Global Youth Unemployment through Agrifood Systems

A new report from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has highlighted the potential of agrifood systems in addressing the alarming levels of youth unemployment, particularly among individuals aged 15-24 years. The report, titled 'The Status of Youth in Agrifood Systems', notes that over 20 percent of the world's 1.3 billion young people are currently not in employment, education or training (NEET). Tackling this unemployment could generate a significant boost to global gross domestic product (GDP), with a 1.4 percent increase driven by increased youth participation in agrifood systems.

Key Takeaways:

• The share of working youth in agrifood systems has decreased from 54 percent in 2005 to 44 percent in the current report, with a corresponding increase in youth unemployment.
• Tackling youth unemployment in agrifood systems could generate a 1.4 percent boost in global GDP, with 45 percent of the increase driven by increased youth participation.
• 54 percent of the world's youth live in urban areas, particularly in Eastern Asia, where rural youth make up only 5 percent of the population in industrial agrifood systems.
• Poverty and food insecurity are widespread among youth, with 85 percent living in low-and lower-middle-income countries where agrifood systems are essential for livelihoods.
• Climate shocks and extreme weather events pose a significant threat to agrifood systems, with 395 million rural youth living in locations expected to experience declines in agricultural productivity.
• Empowering youth in agrifood systems transformation can have a multiplier effect, driving broader system transformation and improved food security.

Statistics:

• 20.1% of the world's 1.3 billion young people are currently not in employment, education or training (NEET) (Source: FAO 'The Status of Youth in Agrifood Systems' report)
• 44.2% of the working youth rely on agrifood systems for employment (Source: FAO 'The Status of Youth in Agrifood Systems' report)
• 45% of the expected GDP increase would be driven by increased youth participation in agrifood systems (Source: FAO 'The Status of Youth in Agrifood Systems' report)
• 54% of the world's youth live in urban areas (Source: FAO 'The Status of Youth in Agrifood Systems' report)
• 85% of global youth live in low-and lower-middle-income countries (Source: FAO 'The Status of Youth in Agrifood Systems' report)

Sources:

• FAO 'The Status of Youth in Agrifood Systems' report
• QU Dongyu, director-general of FAO, as cited in the report