The global rate of unemployment is going up even though economic recovery is beginning in a number of countries.
Global unemployment increased by 5 million in 2013 to reach 202 million despite an incipient world economic rally. According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the result is a “jobless recovery" as business activity picks up.
The ILO’s annual report expects that 215 million people around the globe will be unemployed by 2018 if current rates of growth persist.
A spokesperson said there is “a clear link between these unacceptable levels of unemployment in the world and growing inequality,” claiming that inequality acts as a “brake on growth”.
The organisation is pressing for employment to be placed at the centre of international policy-making, and called for job stimulation to form an essential part of recovery.
The worst average unemployment rate was hitting North Africa, then the Middle East.
Europe’s problem was not as great as these two regions, but of deep concern.
The lowest rates were reported in Asia, including China.
The ILO expressed additional concern at the so-called ‘NEETS’, i.e, young people who are not in employment, education or training. Their levels, it said, had reached “epidemic proportions”.
