Tackling the COVID-19 youth employment crisis in Asia and the Pacific

The joint ILO-ADB report provides an overview of the labour market situation of young people in Asia and the Pacific prior to the onset of COVID-19. It assesses the multidimensional impact of the crisis on youth in the first and second quarters of 2020 through (1) job disruptions from reduced working hours and layoffs, (2) disruptions in education and training, and (3) difficulties transitioning from school to work and moving between jobs. The report also provides estimates of youth job losses and youth unemployment for 2020 and offers policy recommendations to consider in addressing the youth employment crisis through the outbreak and recovery phases.

The report indicates that the Philippines and many other countries in Region, youth unemployment rates are expected to reach at least double the 2019 estimates even in a scenario of short COVID-19 containment.