Youth and Labor Market Trends Index Report 2026

Nov 02, 2026

The Youth and Labor Market Trends Index Report 2026, developed within the framework of the Next-Gen Career-Up initiative, is implemented by the Institute for Leadership and Public Policy (ILPP) and supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in North Macedonia. The report examines the transition from higher education to employment in North Macedonia, with a particular focus on the Pollog Region, through the perspectives of university students, employers, and university professors. Based on 251 survey responses, it provides a comparative analysis of youth employability, skills gaps, internships, education–labor market alignment, and future employment trends, offering evidence-based findings and recommendations to strengthen youth employment opportunities and cooperation between universities, employers, and public institutions.