Young people face perfect storm for their mental health

• Young people worldwide are facing a generational mental health crisis.
• Economic, social and environmental issues are putting them under unprecedented pressure.
• The Youth Alliance provides an example of collaborative action involving private capital that can help re-galvanize young people.

The world’s 1.2 billion young people – 16% of the global population – stand at a crossroads. They face a future shaped by relentless technological upheavals, economic turbulence and an evolving social fabric that demands more from them than any generation before. In a world more connected than ever, their struggles are both uniquely personal and profoundly global.

Despite improvements in the global labour market, youth unemployment remains a significant concern. In 2023, a staggering 64.9 million young people aged 15 to 24 found themselves unemployed, with the youth unemployment rate at 13.6% – more than triple that of adults. This isn't merely a statistic; it represents millions of dreams deferred, careers stunted and potential unrealized. Behind these numbers lies a perfect storm of systemic barriers: rapidly automating industries, widening skills gaps and persistent economic instability.