Lagarde—Lending an Ear to Young Voices

IMF Blog, June 9, 2017

Source details

Publication title: Lagarde—Lending an Ear to Young Voices
Author: The Editors
Date: June 9, 2017
Format: IMFBlog page describing a podcast and related commentary by Christine Lagarde about youth, work, and policy

Young people express concern about their future and ask: "where will I fit into society? What good will I do if and when I join the labor market, or when I start my enterprise?"
Millennials view the future in different ways: as intriguing, exciting, or fear-inducing.
Many young people are "trying to take control of that future, not waiting to be hired into the civil service, or waiting to be employed in the labor force of large corporations."
Self-employment can match young people’s appetite for creating the conditions of their work, remuneration, and contribution to economic life.
Young people are willing to serve in traditional workplaces but are also ready to fend for themselves and equip themselves with tools for success.
Attributes commonly observed among young people: desire to experiment, energy to engage, willingness to prove and educate themselves, and determination to participate.

The International Labor Organization says there will be 71 million unemployed youth in the world in 2017.
"Young people are twice as likely to be unemployed as the general population," per the page wording.

Countries have the responsibility to "make space and to create avenues for young people to work and contribute to society."
For young mothers: more childcare centers and other maternity benefits.
For youth more broadly: more vocational and technology training, and opportunities for entrepreneurship.
Support measures that enable self-employment and entrepreneurship, recognizing they can be successful for youth.