亚开行-解决亚太地区新冠流行期间的青年就业危机（英文）-2020.8-42页_1mb

Summary: Tackling the COVID-19 Youth Employment Crisis in Asia and the Pacific

Core Content

The Tackling the COVID-19 Youth Employment Crisis in Asia and the Pacific report, co-published by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), highlights the significant impact of the pandemic on youth employment in the region. It outlines the challenges young people face, the structural issues that have existed prior to the crisis, and the urgent need for targeted policy responses to mitigate the long-term effects of the crisis on youth.

Main Points

Youth Employment Vulnerability

• Young people in Asia and the Pacific are particularly vulnerable to the economic impacts of the pandemic due to their:
  • Short tenure in employment
  • High concentration in hard-hit sectors (e.g., wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing, rental and business services, accommodation and food services)
  • Predominance in informal employment, which lacks job security, social protection, and legal rights

Pre-COVID-19 Labour Market Situation

• In 2019, there were 663 million young people (15–29 years) in the region, representing 55% of the global youth population.
• 220 million young people were employed, with 408 million outside the labour force and 35 million unemployed.
• Youth unemployment rate was 13.8%, compared to 3.0% for adults.
• NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training) rates increased over time, especially among young women in Southern Asia (49% NEET), who are disproportionately engaged in unpaid care and domestic work.

Impact of the Crisis

• The crisis has caused severe disruptions through three channels:
  1. Job disruptions – reduced working hours, reduced earnings, and job losses
  2. Disruptions to education and training
  3. Difficulties in transitioning from school to work and moving between jobs
• Unemployment rates rose sharply in the first quarter of 2020, with youth unemployment increasing more than adult unemployment in most economies.
• Working hours dropped by 7.1% in the first quarter of 2020 and by 13.5% in the second quarter, with young workers experiencing a larger loss than adults.

Estimated Job Losses

• Between 10 and 15 million full-time equivalent jobs may be lost across 13 countries in the region in 2020.
• The impact varies by country, with some countries (e.g., Cambodia, Fiji, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Thailand) projected to have youth unemployment rates double the 2019 levels even in a short containment scenario.

Key Policy Recommendations

1. Stimulating the Economy and Youth Employment

   • Implement comprehensive labour market policies, including wage subsidies and public employment programmes.
   • Ensure inclusive recovery by integrating youth into broader economic and social recovery measures.

2. Designing Active Labour Market Programmes

   • Expand job information and employment services for young jobseekers.
   • Support apprenticeship programmes and demand-driven skills development.
   • Increase funding for upskilling and reskilling, especially in growth sectors.

3. Investing in Digital Inclusion

   • Promote equitable access to education, training, and entrepreneurship through digital tools.

4. Supporting Young Entrepreneurs

   • Provide access to capital and non-financial services to help young entrepreneurs sustain and grow their businesses.

5. Cross-Cutting Priorities

   • Reach the most vulnerable youth, including poor and marginalized young women.
   • Engage youth in policy development and social dialogue.
   • Enhance data disaggregation by age and improve youth labour market information.

Critical Insights

• The pandemic has exacerbated pre-existing inequalities, particularly for young women, who are overrepresented in informal and vulnerable sectors.
• Education disruptions have further hindered youth transitions to the workforce and may lead to long-term scarring effects.
• The crisis threatens to create a "lockdown generation", which may bear the long-term consequences of reduced employment and education opportunities.
• Youth entrepreneurship has the potential to create multiplier effects, but it is also vulnerable to economic shocks.

Conclusion

The report underscores the urgent need for targeted and large-scale interventions to support youth employment in Asia and the Pacific. By addressing the structural issues in the labour market and enhancing social protection, skills development, and digital inclusion, governments can help mitigate the long-term impacts of the crisis and ensure inclusive and sustainable growth. Engaging youth in policy and social dialogue is essential to build a resilient and equitable recovery.