// EQUALITY: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Investing in inclusion:
Gilbert Houngbo, director-general, International Labour Organization
S outh Africa has centred its 2025 G20 presidency on ‘Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability’. Two of the many meaningful social justice con- tributions that the leaders are poised to offer are reducing the share of youth aged 15 to 29 who are not in education, employment or training (often referred to as NEET), and investing in robust social protection systems. First, the G20’s commitment to guid- ing young people into decent work has been reinforced. Between 2014 and 2024, NEET rates declined from 20% to 17.6%. This progress is significant. But in sev- eral G20 countries, NEET rates remain well above the median. Moreover, in all but three countries, young women are more likely to be NEET than young men, with an average gap of 8.6 percentage points. Also, far more young NEETs are inactive (outside the labour force, 12.3% in 2024) than unemployed (actively seek- ing employment, 5.3% in 2024). Reducing NEET rates in all G20 countries entails reaching those who face the deepest
South Africa’s G20 presidency has placed solidarity, equality and sustainability at the heart of its agenda. Reducing youth exclusion and expanding social protection are two key pathways to achieving fairer, more resilient societies Building decent work and social protection for all
72 // G20 SOUTH AFRICA: THE JOHANNESBURG SUMMIT 2025
Made with FlippingBook - PDF hosting