UNUSED POTENTIAL: YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT AS A THREAT TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN UKRAINE

This article examines the issue of youth unemployment in Ukraine, which has intensified in the context of full-scale war and economic instability. The study identifies the main causes of unemployment among young people aged 18 to 35, including the mismatch between education and labor market needs, lack of work experience, and limited job opportunities in war-affected regions. The article analyzes the socio-economic consequences of youth unemployment and outlines strategic directions for addressing it, such as promoting youth entrepreneurship, improving vocational guidance, and enhancing employment support programs. Emphasis is placed on the importance of youth integration into the labor market as a prerequisite for the country’s post-war recovery and sustainable development. Based on the results of the study, a set of measures to intensify youth employment policy is proposed.