The United Nations estimates that one person in five is between the ages of 15 and 24 years.  The world’s youth is its future and investing in young people must be an integral part of the global developmental agenda.  Target 16 of Millennium Development Goal 8 calls for a global partnership to overcome youth employment barriers and to implement decent and productive work for youth.

Despite its rapid economic growth, Viet Nam faces several challenges related to employment, and especially youth employment. While young people, aged 15 to 24 years accounted for 25.2 per cent of the total work force in 1999, it is now estimated that around 1.4 million young job seekers enter the labor market each year.  Political action will be necessary to create meaningful jobs for them.

This discussion paper examines the situation of youth employment and the challenges of their unemployment and underemployment in Viet Nam. The discussion paper advances a number of policy recommendations regarding action in support of youth employment. The framework for action is based on issues of employability, equal opportunity, entrepreneurship, employment creation and participation.