Youth unemployment has been a key indicator of the impact of the financial crisis. After 2008, it increased in most UNECE countries and this increase was different for men and women. The chart below illustrates the change in youth unemployment by sex in selected countries of the region.

In 2008, young women in Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation, Spain and Sweden had higher unemployment than men of the same age, whereas in Germany and the United States unemployment was slightly higher among men.

In most UNECE countries with data on youth unemployment, the trend among men was less favourable than among women. This applies to countries with a high level and large increase in youth unemployment, such as Spain, as well as to countries with a moderate level and increase, such as the Russian Federation and Sweden. However, in several countries shown in the chart including France, unemployment of young women increased more than that of young men. In the United States, the increase of youth unemployment was about equal among women and men. In Germany and Kazakhstan where youth unemployment fell, the decrease was more pronounced among women.

Note:  Youth unemployment rate is the proportion of unemployed in the economically active population (employed + unemployed) aged 15-24. The most recent data for Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation pertain to 2010.

Source: UNECE Statistical Database