Youth Unemployment and Community Disengagement: Examining Social Patterns, Institutional Trust and Policy Interventions

Abstract

Youth unemployment is a recurring global problem that not only affects economies but has several wider implications for society and institutions. While restricting the access to jobs, youth unemployment is also associated with social exclusion, lower civic engagement, community participation, and lack of confidence in governmental institutions. This review focuses on the connection between youth unemployment and community disengagement through exploring recent academic research devoted to the social dynamics, institutions, and policies related to youth unemployment. Specifically, the review analyzes the impact of demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, such as gender, education, location, and socioeconomic background on the level of community involvement of young people who are unemployed. The review also addresses the significance of trust in institutions for engaging in society. Based on the analysis conducted, it is clear that youth unemployment is a multi-dimensional problem that demands coordinated efforts that go beyond creating jobs. Such efforts must take an approach that brings together labor market policies, skills training, community programs, and institutional changes that increase chances of good employment opportunities and social inclusion. Gaps in research have been revealed through this review, especially concerning longitudinal studies, comparative analysis, and inter-disciplinary approaches that focus on the interaction of unemployment, institutional trust, and community participation.