In many countries more and more young people are leaving school but unable to find jobs. What problems do you think youth unemployment causes for individuals and the society? What measures should be taken to reduce the level of unemployment among youngsters?

Young people’s situation and future prospects are of vital concern to us all. Many of them face the problem of unemployment after passing out of school. This essay shall highlight the problems caused by youth unemployment on individuals and society and suggest some ways forward. It has been rightly said – “Of all the aspects of social misery, nothing is so heart breaking as unemployment” Jane Adams

Unemployment has profound effects on the young people. Unemployment affects their psychological and social development. Some may even develop suicidal tendencies or get involved in crime. A significant proportion of young people are not in a position to make a positive transition to adulthood. For some, it will be very difficult to 'catch up', even if circumstances do improve. At a crucial period of life, they are missing out on acquiring and exercising skills, on developing a sense of their competence, on getting the positive feelings about self which come from having a sense of control over their own lives, on being given opportunities to contribute to society, and to feel that they are valued.

On the societal level also there are many effects. There is increased crime in the society which has a very detrimental effect. Young people are energetic and if their energy is not channelized in the right direction then definitely violence and crime is there in the society. Poverty, which is the result of unemployment, also leads to many problems like diminished health standards. So, on the whole, the society suffers.

The solutions are not simple. Education system should be reformed. There are many people without jobs and many jobs are without suitable people. So students should be encouraged to take up those courses which have no dearth of jobs. Government can also provide subsidies to those firms that take on unemployed people. Government can set up industries based on agriculture and also set up cottage industries such as those of carpets, mats and soaps. Finally, government can encourage self employment by giving loans to young people who want to be entrepreneurs.

To put it in a nutshell, I pen down saying that, youth unemployment is a serious issue and should be dealt with on a war footing as there are a lot of detrimental effects on the individual and society.