die  Jugendarbeitslosigkeit

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈjuːɡntˌʔaʁbaɪ̯tsˌloːzɪçkaɪ̯t/

📈 What does Jugendarbeitslosigkeit mean?

Die Jugendarbeitslosigkeit translates directly to youth unemployment. It refers to the state where young people (typically defined as those aged 15 to 24) who are available for work and actively seeking employment cannot find a paid job. It's a specific segment of general unemployment (*Arbeitslosigkeit*) and a significant topic in economic, social, and political discussions.

It's an abstract noun describing a condition. ⚠️ It only uses one article: die (the, feminine).

Article rules for der, die, and das

📚 Grammar: Declining die Jugendarbeitslosigkeit

The word 'Jugendarbeitslosigkeit' is a feminine noun. Since it describes an abstract concept, it is almost exclusively used in the singular form. A plural form ('die Jugendarbeitslosigkeiten') is grammatically possible but very rare; it would refer to different types or instances of youth unemployment in various contexts.

Declension (Singular):

Example Sentences:

• Die Jugendarbeitslosigkeit in Südeuropa ist besorgniserregend hoch. (Youth unemployment in Southern Europe is worryingly high.)
• Die Ursachen der Jugendarbeitslosigkeit sind vielfältig. (The causes of youth unemployment are diverse.)
• Die Regierung will mit neuen Programmen der Jugendarbeitslosigkeit entgegenwirken. (The government wants to counteract youth unemployment with new programs.)
• Man muss die Jugendarbeitslosigkeit ernst nehmen und bekämpfen. (One must take youth unemployment seriously and combat it.)

🗣️ Usage Context

The term die Jugendarbeitslosigkeit is mainly used in formal contexts, especially in:

• Economic news and analyses: To describe economic trends and challenges.
• Political debates: When discussing measures to promote training and employment.
• Social science studies: To investigate the causes and consequences for young people and society.
• Education policy: In connection with transitions from school to work.

In everyday language, people might rather say that 'viele junge Leute keine Arbeit finden' (many young people can't find work) or 'es schwer ist, nach der Ausbildung einen Job zu bekommen' (it's hard to get a job after training), but the technical term is 'Jugendarbeitslosigkeit'.

🧠 Mnemonics

Article Mnemonic: Nouns ending in -keit (like *Möglichkeit* - possibility, *Fröhlichkeit* - happiness) are almost always feminine in German. This applies to *Arbeitslosigkeit* (unemployment) and thus also to *Jugendarbeitslosigkeit*. So, it's always die!

Meaning Mnemonic: Break down the word: Jugend (youth) + Arbeit (work) + -losigkeit (-lessness or lack of). It literally means the 'work-lessness of youth'.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

Similar, but not identical terms:

• Arbeitslosigkeit: The general term for unemployment, covering all age groups.
• Unterbeschäftigung: Underemployment - when someone has work but works fewer hours (or is employed below their skill level) than they want or could.

😂 A Little Joke

Chef zum neuen Auszubildenden: „Sagen Sie mal, warum kommen Sie heute schon wieder zu spät?“
Azubi: „Ich habe verschlafen.“
Chef: „Was, Sie schlafen zu Hause auch noch?“

Translation:
Boss to the new apprentice: "Tell me, why are you late again today?"
Apprentice: "I overslept."
Boss: "What, you sleep at home too?" (Implying the apprentice also 'sleeps' on the job)

🎤 A Poem about the Situation

Junge Hoffnung, stiller Stand

Die Schule aus, das Wissen frisch,
doch vor der Tür ein kalter Tisch.
Kein Job in Sicht, die Zeit verrinnt,
wo fängt das Arbeitsleben an, mein Kind?

Die Jugend sucht, will schaffen, tun,
statt warten, hoffen, auszuruhn.
Die Jugendarbeitslosigkeit,
ein Schatten in der neuen Zeit.

Translation:

Young Hope, Still Stand

School is out, knowledge fresh and bright,
But at the door, a table cold as night.
No job in sight, time slips away,
Where does working life begin, child, say?

The youth search, want to create, achieve,
Instead of waiting, hoping, taking leave.
The Jugendarbeitslosigkeit, so vast,
A shadow in the new era cast.

❓ A Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Wort, lang und schwer,
beschreib' ein Problem, das schmerzt so sehr.
Betrifft die Jungen, nach Schul' und Lehr',
wenn der erste Job noch bleibt weit her.

Man spricht von mir in Politik und Land,
wenn Zukunft fehlt an Arbeitshand.
Mit „die“ steh ich bekannt.
Wie heiß ich wohl, im deutschen Land?

Translation:

I am a word, long and weighty,
Describing a problem that hurts greatly.
Affecting the young, after school and training's end,
When the first job remains a distant trend.

I'm discussed in politics and the nation,
When future lacks working creation.
With "die" I am known across the land.
What am I called, in German sand?

Answer: die Jugendarbeitslosigkeit

🧩 Other Info: Word Composition & Significance

Word Composition:

The word 'Jugendarbeitslosigkeit' is a compound noun, formed from three parts:

• Jugend: Meaning youth.
• Arbeit: Meaning work or employment.
• -losigkeit: A suffix indicating a lack of or -lessness (here: the lack of work).

Societal Relevance: High youth unemployment (*hohe Jugendarbeitslosigkeit*) is considered a major societal problem because it can have not only economic but also social consequences, such as lack of prospects, social exclusion, or the emigration of young skilled workers ('brain drain').