Negative stereotypes and mistreatment in the workplace are pushing young people out of jobs, as new research from UK Youth and KFC UK&I reveals a record 872,000 economically inactive individuals aged 16-25—the highest figure since tracking began in the early 1990s. The study surveyed over 9,000 young people and 2,000 employers over three years, uncovering alarming trends in workplace discrimination.
As many as 93% of young employees report facing negative treatment because of their age, up from 88% three years ago. Among the most common issues, 81% feel undervalued, 78% report being patronized, and 69% say they have missed out on promotions due to age discrimination. Moreover, 75% of young people have been rejected from jobs due to their age, and 49% believe career progression is unattainable.
“Young people today bring immense potential and fresh perspectives, yet age discrimination remains a significant barrier to employment,” said Lamin Tarawally, Youth Beyond Borders youth lead and KFC youth advisory board chair,
The impact goes beyond their jobs, as 56% of young people say these stereotypes harm their self-esteem, and 45% report lowered confidence. For some, the effects are even worse, with 26% of those experiencing age-based discrimination saying it discouraged them from wanting to work altogether.
Employers themselves perpetuate harmful biases, with 34% describing young people as overly sensitive, 27% labelling them entitled, and 23% calling them lazy or unwilling to work. Yet, there is some recognition of the damage caused: 51% of employers acknowledge the mental health toll, and 38% believe such stereotypes are unfair.
Some key changes young people desire include more inclusive hiring practices (27%), better recognition of mental health (26%), and fostering active dialogue with youth (26%). On the positive side, 85% of employers agree they are responsible for supporting young workers, though 36% admit their hiring language isn’t accessible to this group.