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Youth hit hard by economic recession

Updated: 2009-08-13 05:49

UNITED NATIONS: Young people around the world are among those hardest hit by the global economic downturn, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Wednesday in a message marking International Youth Day.

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"In 2007, for example, youth comprised 25 percent of the world' s working age population yet accounted for 40 percent of the unemployed," Ban said.

"The global economic downturn means that, in the near term, youth unemployment will continue to climb," he noted. " Unemployment rates tell only part of the story, especially for the vast majority of youth who live in developing countries."

For the young, informal, insecure and low-wage employment is the norm, not the exception, he said.

"On International Youth Day, let us renew our pledge to support young people in their development. Sustainability is the most promising path forward, and youth can lead the way," the secretary- general added.

By adopting a resolution on December 17, 1999, the UN General Assembly designated August 12 as the International Youth Day as an effort to draw attention to youth issues worldwide.

The theme of this year's International Youth Day is " Sustainability: Our Challenge. Our Future."