UNDP warns 800 million young people in developing economies may find no jobs and launches two initiatives

13 October 2026

UNDP Administrator Alexander De Croo said about 800 million young people entering the labour market in developing economies will not find jobs unless countries act.
Over the next 15 years, 1.2 billion young people will leave school for the labour market, and jobs are projected for only 400 million of them.
He spoke from Bangkok, where he was attending the World Bank Group-IMF Annual Meetings.
UNDP launched an Investment Accelerator to improve investment policies and build pipelines of investment-ready projects.
It also launched a Jobs for Prosperity Facility to identify job-rich sectors and align skills with employers' needs.
Both are backed by partnerships with the World Bank Group, the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.