The ONS have released the latest Labour Market Overview covering the months of April 2023 – June 2023.
What does this mean for Youth Employment?
The latest labour market overview from the Office for National Statistics shows that the youth employment rate has increased by 1 percentage point to 12.33%, nearly three times the all-age rate, with 524,000 16-24-year-olds unemployed (including students).
Headlines for young people aged 16-24
In work:
| Employment rate | Employment Level |
| 54.4% (↓0.5%) | 3,724,000 (↓36,000) |
Unemployment:
| Unemployment rate | Unemployment Level |
| 12.33% (↑1.0%) | 524,000 (↑42,000) |
Economically inactive:
| Economic Inactivity Rate | Economic Inactivity Level |
| 37.9% (↓0.1%) | 2,601,000 (↓3,000) |
Education:
| In full-time education | Not in full-time education |
| 3,135,000 (↑13,000) | 3,715,000 (↓10,000) |
Worklessness:
| Not in full-time education or employment | |
| 998,000 (↑11,000) | |
| Economically inactiveÂ
(not in full-time education) |
Unemployed (not in full-time education) |
|  641,000 (↓21,000) | 325,000 (↑32,000) |
Headlines for all ages
In work:
| Employment rate | Employment Level |
| 75.7% (↓0.2) 16-64 | 32,929,000(↓123,000) |
Unemployment:
| Unemployment rate | Unemployment Level |
| 4.19% (↑0.3%) | 1,440,000 (↑69,000) |
Economically inactive:
| Economically inactive rate | Economically inactive level |
| 20.9% (↑0.1)16-64 | 8,693,000 (↑42,000) 16-64 |
Commentary
Josh Knight, Senior Policy and Research Lead
The unemployment rate for 16 – 24 year olds is now 12.33%, the highest it has been since May – July 2021. At the same time we continue to have nearly one million young people not in full time education or employment, a figure which is remaining stubbornly high.
We know that any experience of worklessness for young people, particularly periods which last longer than six months, have a profound impact on their future earning potential, health and happiness. The government needs to rapidly address the challenges facing young people on their journey to work and support more young people in to quality education, training and employment opportunities.
This year’s Youth Voice Census 2023 will provide fresh insight directly from young people on what these challenges are, what is currently working for them and what more needs to be done. To hear the findings first, register for our online launch on 18th September for free.
