Toward a Better Future: Evidence on Improving Employment Outcomes for Disadvantaged Youth in the United States

In 2013, only approximately half of the young adult population (ages 16–24) held jobs. An increased investment to strengthen employment prospects for youth is needed to ensure better futures. This MDRC report draws from a review of literature on employment-related programs for youth over the past three decades. The aim of this report is threefold: (1) to look at factors that create high rates of young adult unemployment, (2) to examine the effectiveness of current unemployment interventions for youth, and (3) to discuss future directions to increase stronger employment involvement.