How young people are faring 2009

• Stephen Lamb, Lyn Robinson
• Foundation for Young Australians

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Image: Paul Box / HYPAF 09 report cover

08 October 2009The 2009 How Young People are Faring (HYPAF) report shows that the proportion of teenagers not learning or earning full-time has jumped from 13.4% a year ago to 16.4%, the highest level since the recession of the early 1990s.

HYPAF is the pre-eminent national report on the learning and work situation of young Australians. This year’s report focuses on the global economic downturn and the subsequent impact on young people’s aspirations, employment opportunities and education pathways.

Unemployment among teenagers has sharply increased over the last 12 months, with a steeper increase for young males. A rise in teenage unemployment of over six per cent over the last 12 months is one of the largest annual increases experienced by this group in 20 years.

The implications of these findings are broad and complex. Barriers faced by new entrants to the workforce have
potentially serious mid-to-long term consequences related to lack of training, experience, erosion of confidence and lack of financial security. The most vulnerable continue to come from low socioeconomic status backgrounds and live in regional and remote areas. The economic environment and structural barriers to participation also suggest other dimensions that require closer attention and action through policy and grassroots change.

This eleventh edition of How Young People are Faring includes additional, important information about young people’s wellbeing. Much of the difference in the sense of wellbeing of young people is related to careers, employment and money.