sions about the underlying influences that determine the American youth economy and will identify some programs that have been proven to help youth enter the workforce. The last section of this paper will attempt to draw some conclusions from the American experience that can be applied throughout the world.
Before we can analyze the performance of American youth in the United States economy, we must first establish what it is that we mean by the youth economy. Youth economy refers to the participation of young people aged 16-24 in the overall national economy. Preparing young people to succeed in the job market is one of the most critical tasks faced by modern societies. Most countries, in addressing the youth economy, attempt: "1) to give all young people the opportunity to attain their career potential while meeting the demands of the labor market and 2) to minimize the number of youth who experience long-term joblessness or poor career outcomes" (DOL, i). How effective nations are at addressing these two goals, however, varies widely from country to country and region to region.
All over the world, young men and women "are making an important contribution as productive workers, entrepreneurs, consumers, citizens, members of civil society and agents of change. Their energy and capacity for innovation are priceless resources that no country can afford to squander" (ILO, 1). All too often, however, these young men and women are a vulnerable group in society. Youth face heightened economic and social uncertainty, and all too often their lack of access to productive and stable employment impairs their ability to realize their full potential (ILO, 1-2).
The following table shows the unemployment rate of youth aged 16-24 in every major region of the world. Not surprisingly, the industrialized nations of the West and Asia have the lowest unemployment rates for youth. Faring worse are youth in Africa and the Middle East...