Experts have explored policy responses that can improve youth prospects for jobs and social protection.

They argued that many young people are facing unprecedented levels of stress and uncertainty, driven by concerns about job and financial security and access to social protection.

In a recent webinar, organised by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), a Professor of Economics, David Blanchflower, said that as young people often enter the labour market in jobs that do not come with adequate social protection, efforts to extend and improve social security coverage are of critical importance for young people, including those in temporary, part-time, and self-employment.

To facilitate the hiring of young workers on formal contracts, he urged that governments could step up their support to enterprises that hire youth, using tax incentives and other means of subsidising the hiring of youth in formal jobs.

He cited some countries where their governments implemented active labour policies to directly encourage employment of young women, including through provisions of higher subsidies and prioritised assistance to female entrepreneurs.

The economist also called on countries to adopt reforms that would make it easier for unemployed youth without long working histories to access unemployment benefits, combined with access to public employment services and active labour market policies.

In investing in well-being in the workplace, the webinar informed that many enterprises are increasingly sensitive to the health and well-being of young workers and are stepping up action, including in Human Resource practices that embed “recharge days” and flexible entitlement choices.

It said some companies are also supporting intergenerational networks to reduce generational biases at the workplace and improve mentoring.

It stated that helping young people to understand their rights at work and engage in social dialogue was another innovation that could enhance youth agency and encourage them to advocate for the protection of their rights.

Head, Social Policy Unit, Universal Social Protection Department, ILO, Christina Behrendt, said that empowering youth to set their pathways toward security, prosperity, and well-being rightly sits at the helm of ILO priorities for 2026. She said continued collaboration with young people, governments, and social partners would be essential to rebuild young people’s trust in public institutions.

This, she said, would entail not just showing good faith in promoting decent work, including social protection, for young people, but also taking real and brave action to scale up policies that could soothe the youth’s insecurities and ensure they are alright.