Youth Unemployment Rate (16-24)
Weighted average of 20-24 (40%) and 25-34 (60%) unemployment rates
What is the current Youth Unemployment Rate (16-24)?
Youth unemployment (ages 16–24) tracks the jobless rate for workers entering the labor market — the cohort historically most vulnerable to economic downturns and most at risk from AI displacement of entry-level positions. Young workers are typically the first to lose hours and the last to be hired when conditions deteriorate. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.
5.1% youth unemployment — the age group most exposed to AI displacement
Weighted average of 20-24 (40%) and 25-34 (60%) unemployment rates. These age brackets face highest AI job displacement risk.
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How has Youth Unemployment Rate (16-24) changed over time?
| Period | Value | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 2026 | 9.5% | −0.2 pts |
| Jan 2026 | 8.9% | −0.2 pts |
| Dec 2025 | 10.4% | +1.4 pts |
| Nov 2025 | 10.6% | +1.2 pts |
| Sep 2025 | 10.4% | +1.2 pts |
| Aug 2025 | 10.6% | +0.9 pts |
| Jul 2025 | 10% | +0.9 pts |
| Jun 2025 | 10% | +1.1 pts |
| May 2025 | 9.7% | +0.4 pts |
| Apr 2025 | 9.6% | +1.4 pts |
| Mar 2025 | 9.4% | +0.6 pts |
| Feb 2025 | 9.7% | +0.9 pts |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does youth unemployment matter as a distress signal?
Workers aged 16–24 are the first to lose hours and the last to be hired when the economy weakens. They also disproportionately fill the entry-level roles most vulnerable to AI automation. Rising youth unemployment often appears before broader labor market deterioration.
How does AI affect youth employment specifically?
Entry-level jobs that traditionally served as career on-ramps — data entry, junior writing, basic coding, customer service — are among the tasks most readily automated by AI. This creates a specific risk for young workers who may find fewer entry points into the workforce.
Where does youth unemployment data come from?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes monthly unemployment rates by age group as part of the Current Population Survey. The 16–24 age bracket is the standard measure of youth labor market conditions.
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