AI threatens traditional entry-level jobs

The recovery of the youth labor market in the post-COVID period has stalled over the past year, while the spread of artificial intelligence risks making it more difficult for many young people to access jobs that have traditionally served as their first employment opportunities, both in offices and factories.

In 2025, the global youth unemployment rate rose to 12.4%, representing 67 million people, compared with 12.3% in 2023. At the same time, the share of young people not in employment, education or training (NEET) reached 20%, equivalent to 257 million young people — 9 million more than in the same period, CE Report quotes ANSA.

These figures are highlighted in the latest World Employment Trends for Youth (GET Youth) report by the International Labour Organization (ILO).

According to the ILO, “jobs that have traditionally served as a gateway into the labor market for young people are declining.” These include office and administrative positions, jobs in services and sales, manufacturing roles and certain technical occupations.

At the same time, demand continues to grow for highly skilled, knowledge-intensive technical professions in areas such as science, healthcare and engineering.

Estimates indicate that 6.1% of jobs held by young people aged 15 to 29 are in occupations that are highly exposed to changes driven by artificial intelligence.

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