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The Latest Data From IBGE Shows That Unemployment Among Young People Aged 18 to 24 Has Risen Again at the Beginning of 2025, Remains Above Double the National Average and Has Direct Effects on Income, Living With Parents and Financial Pressure on Brazilian Families, in a Scenario Similar to That Observed in Other Countries
Generation Z young people are facing many difficulties in establishing themselves in the job market. Something serious is happening that prevents them from obtaining and maintaining employment for a long time.
Unemployment among young Brazilians aged 18 to 24 reached 14.9% at the end of the first quarter of 2025, more than double the national average of 7%, according to data from Continuous Pnad, revealing a vulnerable situation that, although historically low for the period, has risen again and reflects trends seen in other countries.
The Portrait of Youth Unemployment in Brazil in 2025
The data released by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics shows that, at the end of the first quarter of last year, nearly 15% of Brazilians aged 18 to 24 were unemployed. This percentage represents the lowest level in the historical series for this specific period of the year.
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Despite this, the rate increased compared to the previous quarter. At the end of 2024, youth unemployment was 12.9%, indicating recent deterioration in conditions for entering the job market, even in a general context of a national rate of 7%.
These numbers come from Continuous Pnad, a periodic national household sample survey that monitors employment, income, and working conditions in the country.
The contrast between the national average and the age group highlights that the beginning of professional life remains one of the main bottlenecks in the Brazilian job market, with additional difficulties for those seeking their first job.
Living With Parents and Increasing Family Pressure
Beyond the unemployment statistics, the data from Pnad itself indicates another associated phenomenon: the increase in the number of young people living with their parents.
Even among those who work, it is common to find informal occupations or low earnings.
This dynamic increases the emotional and financial pressure on Generation Z families. Many parents had not planned to support their children after completing their education but end up incurring additional expenses for longer periods.
The prolongation of intergenerational living ceases to be just a cultural choice and starts to reflect economic limitations, difficulties accessing formal jobs, and insufficient wages to cover basic housing costs.
A Phenomenon That Is Repeated in Other Countries
The Brazilian situation finds parallels abroad. In the United States, a survey by the U.S. Census Bureau points out that 1 in 3 Americans aged 18 to 34 lives at home with their parents, a proportion that has remained high.
Joanne Hsu, a researcher at the University of Michigan studying the topic, stated in an interview with CNBC that the scenario is linked to a recessionary economy and the greater difficulty young people have in absorbing economic shocks.
According to Hsu, it is becoming increasingly difficult for young adults to withstand the pressures of the job market, especially when facing demands for prior experience or salaries that do not align with the cost of living.
These shocks include the difficulty in securing a first job and the instability of initial wages, factors that delay financial independence and leaving parents’ homes.
Europe Faces Similar Crisis Among Youth
In the United Kingdom, the situation is also considered critical. Between July and September 2025, almost 1 million young Britons aged 16 to 24 were classified as NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training), according to the country’s Office for National Statistics.
Of that total, nearly 600,000 were not actively seeking work, highlighting disengagement and structural difficulties in transitioning from education to work. The scenario led the British government to launch an independent review of the situation of young people.
British employers report that many young people do not arrive “work-ready,” citing gaps in practical experience and interpersonal skills, worsened by the period of remote learning and social isolation during the pandemic.
Common Challenges and Contextual Differences
Although the economic contexts are distinct, Brazil, the United States, and the United Kingdom share similar elements: difficulty accessing the first job, increased competition for entry-level positions, and remuneration that does not keep pace with the cost of living.
In the Brazilian case, persistent informality and a lower supply of structured school-to-work transition programs add to this, limiting the gradual acquisition of professional experience.
These factors help explain why, even during periods of general market improvement, young people continue to be more exposed to unemployment and precariousness, creating a cycle of prolonged family dependency.
The Emotional and Financial Burden on Parents
According to Hsu, in addition to worrying about their children’s future, prolonged stay at home imposes extra expenses on parents, who often were not financially prepared for this scenario following the end of their children’s formal education.
In Brazil, where the average family income is lower than in developed countries, this impact tends to be even more sensitive, affecting financial planning, consumption, and household well-being.
The combination of high youth unemployment and low starting wages turns the family into the primary safety net, transferring responsibility to the domestic environment that was previously absorbed more quickly by the market.
Skills Development as an Alternative
In light of this scenario, many families have been seeking alternative ways to supplement their children’s formal education to facilitate their entry into the job market.
According to Hsu, recruiters increasingly value so-called soft skills, competencies related to personal behavior, such as emotional intelligence, communication, teamwork, and proactivity.
These skills can be trained in the domestic routine or through free initiatives offered by companies and organizations, serving as a differentiator in initial selection processes.
A Structural and Long-Term Challenge
The data indicates that youth unemployment in Brazil, although it has reached a historically low level for the period, has risen again and remains well above the national average, with direct effects on families and life trajectories.
International comparisons show that the problem is not isolated but takes on specific contours in the country, where informality, low wages, and lesser availability of initial opportunities amplify the challenge.
Reversing this situation requires strategies that go beyond creating job openings, involving practical training, skills development, and more effective transition mechanisms between school and labor markets, to reduce prolonged dependency and enhance the autonomy of young people.
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