High levels of joblessness among young people around the world have resulted from the global economic crisis, a report has claimed.

According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), global levels of unemployment within this demographic may rise during 2010.

Published to mark the launch of the UN International Youth Year, the report highlights employment trends such as the 81 million jobless people aged between 15 and 24 years at the end of 2009, out of a total of around 620 million economically-active individuals in this group.

The youth unemployment rate has climbed by 7.8 million since 2007, rising from 11.9 per cent that year to 13 per cent in 2009, expected to rise to 13.1 per cent by the end of 2010 and dip to 12.7 per cent in 2011.

ILO director-general Juan Somavia stated: "Young people are the drivers of economic development. Foregoing this potential is an economic waste and can undermine social stability."

The ILO is a United Nations agency that draws together employers, governments and workers in order to promote jobs and related issues globally.

Posted by Sarah Dixon