KUALA LUMPUR: Heightened susceptibility to unemployment is a major concern, exacerbated by the compounding effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, said the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas).
Its director of research, Dr Juita Mohamad, said pre-existing challenges in the job market are worsened due to job losses, disruptions in education and training paths, and substantial barriers to labour market mobility – referred to as the 'triple shock'.
"The Asean Community Vision 2025 strategically prioritises youth-related policies to equip this demography with essential tools and resources for their development. Despite these commitments, challenges persist, particularly for vulnerable youth groups.
"This vulnerability is underscored by a notable increase in the proportion of youth categorised as not in employment, education, or training (NEET) between 2019 and 2020, representing a significant untapped potential pool," she said in a statement in conjunction with the launch of its annual 2023 Asean Integration Report.
The youth segment which plays a crucial role in the economy constitutes 34 per cent of the region's total population.
The report, as part of the Asean Prosperity Initiative (API), tracks the progress in implementing the Asean Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint 2025, spotlighting pivotal areas for the youth: labour mobility and connectivity, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and the digital economy.
It incorporates inputs from a range of stakeholders representing various Asean countries, including youth leaders, activists, experts, and representatives from academic institutions and think tanks, obtained through roundtable discussions in Hanoi and Jakarta.
"While challenges persist in terms of education, employment, entrepreneurship and the digital landscape, the report emphasises a shared responsibility to equip youths with a robust platform.
"The optimism lies in the youth's resilience and ambition, urging Asean to collaboratively harness the values of cooperation, shared knowledge, and partnership to address the significant challenges faced by the region," added Ideas chief executive officer, Dr Tricia Yeoh.– Bernama