Friday, February 20, 2026-For many young people, the hunt for a first job has become a bleak and exhausting reality. Across markets such as the United Kingdom, unemployment data show that youth joblessness is climbing sharply, with people aged 16–24 significantly more likely to be without work than older adults, outpacing broader labour market trends and reaching levels not seen in over a decade.
Many describe the daily grind of submitting dozens of applications, tailoring CVs for each role, and rarely hearing back — a cycle that erodes confidence and hope with each rejection.
The emotional toll of persistent job hunting is profound. Young jobseekers describe the process as “soul‑destroying” and demoralizing, highlighting how relentless applications — sometimes 40 to 50 a month — yield few invitations to interviews and even fewer offers.
This constant push for responses in a crowded job market leaves many feeling stuck, with limited feedback and growing frustration over skills that once seemed sufficient now proving insufficient in a competitive landscape. For those without connections or deep networks, the challenge feels even steeper, as employers narrow criteria and filter candidates rapidly.
This struggle isn’t confined to one region — youth unemployment rates remain alarmingly high in countries across the globe, from Europe to Africa, where structural barriers, slow job growth, and mismatches between education and employer needs compound the problem.
For young people, the consequences go beyond lost wages — prolonged joblessness undermines mental health, future prospects, and financial independence. As labour markets shift and entry‑level opportunities remain scarce, the message from those facing this reality is stark: finding work isn’t just hard — it’s crushing the ambitions of a generation.
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