UK Young Adults Feel Overwhelmed by Job Prospects in Uncertain Economy
A new survey of young adults in the UK has revealed widespread anxiety about job prospects and economic uncertainty. More than seven out of ten teens and young adults (73%) stated they wished they weren't starting their careers in this current climate, according to a study from the King's Trust.
The survey found that nearly a quarter of those aged 16 to 25 feel they are destined for failure in life, highlighting growing anxiety among new entrants into the workforce. The findings highlight concerns about job availability and economic instability, with many respondents expressing fears about the impact of artificial intelligence on their future employment prospects.
Young people in the UK report feeling ill-prepared for the labour market, with three out of five stating they were unprepared for employment. Additionally, 64% believed that most entry-level roles are insecure, while a quarter said they lacked the necessary qualifications to pursue their desired career.
Local job availability also emerged as a major concern, with 31% of young people citing lack of opportunities in their area as the biggest barrier to achieving their career goals. This is a significant increase from last year's survey.
The concerns expressed by the respondents reflect national data showing that approximately 925,000 young people aged 16 to 24 are not in education, employment, or training (Neet). The UK ranks 27th out of 38 OECD countries in terms of youth employment outcomes, citing relatively high Neet rates and weaker transitions from education into work.
The King's Trust report highlights a generation entering adulthood amid sustained economic uncertainty, rapid technological change, and constrained job growth. This has a measurable impact on confidence, preparedness, and future expectations. The study underscores the importance of addressing concerns about employment prospects in order to tackle broader issues affecting wellbeing.
Government officials have responded to the findings, with the work and pensions secretary expressing support for initiatives aimed at creating genuine opportunities for young people to earn, learn, and gain valuable work experience.
A new survey of young adults in the UK has revealed widespread anxiety about job prospects and economic uncertainty. More than seven out of ten teens and young adults (73%) stated they wished they weren't starting their careers in this current climate, according to a study from the King's Trust.
The survey found that nearly a quarter of those aged 16 to 25 feel they are destined for failure in life, highlighting growing anxiety among new entrants into the workforce. The findings highlight concerns about job availability and economic instability, with many respondents expressing fears about the impact of artificial intelligence on their future employment prospects.
Young people in the UK report feeling ill-prepared for the labour market, with three out of five stating they were unprepared for employment. Additionally, 64% believed that most entry-level roles are insecure, while a quarter said they lacked the necessary qualifications to pursue their desired career.
Local job availability also emerged as a major concern, with 31% of young people citing lack of opportunities in their area as the biggest barrier to achieving their career goals. This is a significant increase from last year's survey.
The concerns expressed by the respondents reflect national data showing that approximately 925,000 young people aged 16 to 24 are not in education, employment, or training (Neet). The UK ranks 27th out of 38 OECD countries in terms of youth employment outcomes, citing relatively high Neet rates and weaker transitions from education into work.
The King's Trust report highlights a generation entering adulthood amid sustained economic uncertainty, rapid technological change, and constrained job growth. This has a measurable impact on confidence, preparedness, and future expectations. The study underscores the importance of addressing concerns about employment prospects in order to tackle broader issues affecting wellbeing.
Government officials have responded to the findings, with the work and pensions secretary expressing support for initiatives aimed at creating genuine opportunities for young people to earn, learn, and gain valuable work experience.
. I mean, who wouldn't be? The economy is all uncertain and AI is like, 'hey, we're gonna replace you' 
. It's no wonder they're worried about being stuck in some dead-end job with no growth prospects.
. We need to do something about that ASAP. I'm all for initiatives that create genuine opportunities for young people to earn, learn, and gain valuable work experience. It's time to give them a chance to shine 
.
This is all so suspicious... Like, why are they releasing this info now? Is it because governments don't want us to know about the real state of the economy? I mean, 925,000 Neet rates? That's crazy! But what if it's just a cover-up? What if they're actually trying to distract us from something else... like the rise of AI and automation. Everyone's talking about job prospects, but what about the ones who are already affected by the tech boom? Are we just gonna sweep them under the rug too? 
Its like really worrying times for our younger generation. They're feeling super anxious about their futures & it's not just the job market 
. The whole economy is all uncertain & they're worried about AI 
taking over their jobs. I mean, can you blame them? It's crazy to think that most entry-level roles are insecure 
.
️. Like, what chance do they have when the job market is already super tough? And its not just about the UK either 
. The whole OECD is struggling with youth unemployment & its a big problem 
.
. We need to create more opportunities, not just talk about them 
. It's time for some real change, not just empty promises 
.
this survey just broke my heart man... i mean what's the point of even trying if you're gonna fail from the start? 
it's like we're being set up for disappointment from day one. and yeah, ai is gonna be a huge part of it, but do we really wanna exist in a world where our skills are obsolete just because a robot can do it better? 
and the gov is all like "oh no, lets make some programs to help" but is that really gonna change anything? 
this is like, what's next? are we gonna be forced into lifelong training just to stay relevant? 
we've been living in a gig economy with 'flexible' hours & no benefits for ages 
️ now AI's gonna come along & make it even harder to find stable work 
but honestly, who doesn't w/ the job market rn? 
. And what's with all these Neet stats? Like, we know there are issues, but let's stop blaming the youth for being anxious about their future 
.
. It's not like they didn't warn us about automation and whatnot... but hey, at least someone's getting paid to talk about it 
. And it's not just the job availability that's the issue, but also the lack of qualifications and training 
. I mean, what even is the point of trying if you're gonna end up struggling to make ends meet? 
. We need to get these young people some support ASAP, like job training programs and mentorship opportunities 
. Can't we just create more genuine opportunities for them to thrive? 
I'm so worried about our youth in the UK right now... it's like they're being forced to grow up way too fast 
. Seven out of ten feeling like they don't want to start their careers? That's just devastating 
. And AI ruining their future job prospects? That's just a nightmare come true 
. I think we need to do more to support our young adults, give them the tools and opportunities they need to succeed 
. We can't keep putting off the conversation about how to address this issue - our future depends on it