UK Youth Unemployment Hits Highest Level Since 2015, Graduates Struggle to Find Work
Youth unemployment in the UK has reached 15.3%, marking the highest rate outside the Covid-19 pandemic era since 2015, with those under 25 years old facing the toughest challenges.
A Guardian analysis reveals that nearly half of all jobs lost since the Labour Party came to power have been among the under-25 age group.
Leah Savage, 24, who holds a degree in marketing management, has applied for around 100 jobs over six months but secured only two interviews. She is currently on universal credit and relies on parental support. She identifies AI and CV screening as significant hurdles in the job hunt.
An 18-year-old job seeker in Manchester, fluent in multiple languages, has spent four months applying for positions but has yet to receive an interview, as roles often require prior experience.
Miranda Alford, 22, from Nottingham, is on a temporary receptionist contract that is soon to end. Entry-level roles demand several years of experience but offer low pay, leaving her finances under strain.
David Weston, 23, took about six months and submitted over 200 applications before securing a warehouse job. To improve his chances, he removed his politics degree from his CV, highlighting the prevalent degree-skill mismatch in the job market.
Chouka Tung, 24, originally from Hong Kong and 1.5 years post-graduation, now works part-time in an Asian supermarket after many rejections. She worries about her waning journalism skills due to lack of relevant work.
These accounts illustrate the ongoing difficulties graduates face amid high youth unemployment and structural challenges in the UK labour market.
