FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 6, 2013

Contact: Colin Seeberger, colin.seeberger@younginvincibles.org, 214.223.2913

Young Workers Make Gains In November, But Still Have A Long Way To Go

[WASHINGTON]— As the national unemployment rate declined to 7.0 percent and the economy added 203,000 jobs in November, the unemployment rate for 18 to 29 year-olds declined to 10.0 percent from 10.9 percent in October (not seasonably adjusted). For younger workers, ages 16 to 24, the unemployment rate dropped a point to 14.1 percent from 15.1 percent in October (seasonally adjusted).

Rory O’Sullivan, Policy and Research Director at Young Invincibles, released the following statement on this month’s jobs report:

“We are encouraged by this month’s jobs report as young workers appeared to make progress. However, our generation still has a big hole to climb out of and it remains to be seen whether the gains will hold through the holiday season. Despite this month’s step forward, the number of young adults out of the workforce is still too high. Congress has an opportunity to invest in programs proven to give young people the skills that the current labor market demands. Youth unemployment is a problem that every American should care about and our leaders must address this critical issue.”

Next month, Young Invincibles will be releasing a report that puts a price tag on the per capita cost of youth unemployment to each individual taxpayer—highlighting the drain on state and federal resources and the need for greater workforce investment.

Here is more information on how different populations of young people fared in November 2013:

• The unemployment rate for Black young adults ages 16 to 24 in November is 23.1 percent compared to 25.0 percent last month (not seasonally adjusted).

• The unemployment rate for young Latinos ages 16 to 24 in November is 14.4 percent – it was 15.4 percent last month (not seasonally adjusted).

• The unemployment rate for young men ages 16 to 24 in November is 15.1 percent compared to 16.9 percent last month (seasonally adjusted).

• The unemployment rate for young women ages 16 to 24 in November is 13.0 percent, compared to 13.1 percent last month (seasonally adjusted).

• The overall unemployment for 18 to 29 year-olds in November 2013 is 10.0 percent compared to 11.9 percent a year ago in November 2012 (not seasonally adjusted).

###

Young Invincibles is a national organization committed to amplifying the voices of young adults, ages 18 to 34, and expanding economic opportunity for our generation. Young Invincibles ensures that young adults are represented in today’s most pressing societal debates through cutting-edge policy research and analysis, and innovative campaigns designed to educate, inform and mobilize our generation to change the status quo.