The Youth Unemployment Crisis in Canada

With uncertainty over U.S. tariffs still looming, young people are disproportionately finding it difficult to find work. This raises serious questions about the health of Canada's economy.

Applicants at the CNE’s Job Fair wait in line at the Enercare in Toronto, on July 30, 2025. CNE has already received more than 54,000 online applications, the most-ever, and a direct reflection of the current labour market. (Alex Lupul/CBC)

Key Statistics and Insights

The unemployment rate for Canadians between 15 and 24 is at 15 percent, the highest it's been since 2010, not including the pandemic. This alarming figure highlights the disproportionate impact on youth in the job market.

Why can't young people find a job? And how do these numbers fit into the wider health of our economy at the moment?

Economist and Atkinson Fellow on the Future of Workers Armine Yalnizyan provides expert analysis on these numbers, explaining why they stand out and what could be done to prepare and protect the economy from a world of near-constant uncertainty.

For more in-depth discussions, you can listen to the Front Burner podcast, which delves into these critical issues.