Youth unemployment rife in G20 countries

The youth labour market remains critical with 17.7 million young people, or more than 16 percent, unemployed in 17 of the G20 countries, the International Labour Organization (ILO) said Wednesday. Latest data showed unemployment rates were 8 to 11 percent in Australia, Germany, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Mexico; 15 to 18 percent in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Russia, Turkey and the United States; and 21 to 23 percent in France, Indonesia, and Britain. The situation is most severe in Italy, South Africa and Spain, where unemployment rates are as high as 35 to 52 percent. ILO presented the data to a G20 task force in Geneva this week. It pointed out that over the last 12 months, youth unemployment increased in 10 countries. The task force said they were committed to promoting and strengthening apprenticeships to help young seekers transition from learning to work.