Government cannot ignore the rise in youth unemployment
This means that just over 23% of those registering for work in Malta today – almost one in four – are young people.
NSO statistics show that in July the youth unemployment rate rose to 9.8% compared with a year earlier – almost a quarter of those currently registering for work are aged between 15 and 24
The Partit Nazzjonalista expresses its concern at the renewed increase in the youth unemployment rate in July when compared with the same period last year.
Figures published in recent days by the National Statistics Office (NSO) show that the unemployment rate in July 2026 increased by one percentage point over a twelve-month period, from 2.5% in July 2025 to 3.5% in July 2026.
What is particularly concerning in these statistics, however, is that the number of young people registering for work increased substantially over the course of twelve months.
In fact, the unemployment rate among young people aged between 15 and 24 has now reached 9.8%, an increase of 2.3 percentage points from 7.5% during the same period last year. This stands in stark contrast to the rate among people aged over 24 (up to the age of 74), which currently stands at 2.9%.
This means that just over 23% of those registering for work in Malta today – almost one in four – are young people.
The increase in unemployment, particularly among young people, stands in sharp contrast to the Government’s continued claims about how well the economy is performing.
It is clear that economic growth is not being felt by everyone, particularly by this section of society. If the economy is growing, why is youth unemployment also rising?
The Partit Nazzjonalista asks where the quality jobs and employment opportunities for young people are. It also calls on the Labour Government, in light of this situation, to invest more in the skills and careers of tomorrow so that more young people can find the opportunities they are looking for here in Malta.
There is little point in speaking about economic growth if young people who are just starting out in life are not feeling the benefits of that growth.
It is concerning that more young people are finding themselves registering for work at one of the most important stages of their lives, when they are beginning to build a career, start a family and work towards owning their first home.
A strong economy is not measured by figures alone, but by its ability to offer people a future here in Malta without forcing them to consider leaving the country in search of better prospects.
Julian Borg
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Employment
Annabelle Cilia
Spokesperson for Employment
Eve Borg Bonello
Shadow Minister for Youth, Wellbeing and the Implementation of the Electoral Programme
01.09.2026