Rising UK youth unemployment is coinciding with increased military recruitment, as the Ministry of Defence expands efforts to attract young applicants into the British Armed Forces.
New data indicates applications to the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force are at their highest levels in over five years, with 16% of 16–24-year-olds seeking work. Applications to the British Army have also risen.
• Nearly 1 million young people are out of work or education in the UK
• Over 26% of regular forces are now under 25, up since pre-pandemic levels
• The Army has declined to around 70,000 personnel, prompting recruitment drives
Hilary Ingham, Professor of Economics at Lancaster University, said enlistment reflects limited job prospects compared with civilian roles.
The government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, is promoting military careers through job centres and new training schemes, as part of broader efforts to address workforce shortages and national defence demands.
ℹ️ Bloomberg
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