More than one in six young people have stopped working since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic while those who remain employed have seen their working hours cut by 23 per cent, the International Labour Organization said.

According to a recent report, young people are being disproportionately affected by the pandemic, and the substantial and rapid increase in unemployment seen since February is affecting young women more than young men.

Not only is the outbreak destroying employment, but it is also disrupting education and training, and placing major obstacles in the way of those seeking to enter the labour market or to move between jobs.