Hope for stronger futures in Asia

How we’re empowering young people in Asia

Young people in Asia have been disproportionately affected by the impacts of COVID-19.

In Asia-Pacific, youth unemployment post-pandemic rose eight times more than it did for adults.⁶
The pre-pandemic youth NEET* rate in Asia-Pacific was already higher than the global average, at 23.6 per cent.⁷
Post-pandemic, an additional 9.5 million young people have NEET status.⁸
Women are worst affected, making up 69 per cent of the now 165 million youth NEET in the region.⁹

Asia is also feeling the effects of the current global economic slowdown. Young people in the region – and their employment prospects – are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of this slowdown.¹⁰

* not in employment, education, or training

To boost confidence and skills development among young people in Asia, Futuremakers projects across the region target young people at different points of early career development.

We work with strategic and implementing partners across Asia to deliver these projects. In this spotlight, we share details of some of these partnerships, including stories of young people who have found their paths to economic inclusion thanks to Futuremakers.