Youth Employment Continues to Fall

The article from CBC highlights the struggles young people in Canada. Statistics Canada reports youth employment rates have dropped to their lowest levels since 1998, outside of the pandemic years, with declines concentrated in sectors such as retail, hospitality, and food services, which traditionally employ young workers.

Experts point to pandemic-driven shifts in the labour market and economic uncertainty, such as tariffs, as reasons employers are cutting back or pausing hiring. This leaves youth in a frustrating cycle, unable to gain experience because they are not hired, but overlooked for lacking experience. Employment specialists warn that the long-term impact on young people’s career pathways could be severe.

Some employers, however, argue that the problem lies in young workers’ attitudes, claiming many are unwilling to work longer hours or prioritize saving for the future. This tension underscores a generational divide in perspectives on work and highlights the challenges Gen Z faces entering today’s job market.