Top 20 Cities for Young People

An influential study has named Toronto as the best economy for young people. Youth are traditionally drawn to cities, and that number is growing, given that 16% of the world’s population is 15-24.

The YES (Youth Economic Strategy) Index, commissioned by the Citi Foundation and created by The Economist Intelligence Unit, surveyed 5000 youth in 35 global cities and looked at more than 30 factors ranging from gender equality to cost of living. Each city was assigned a YES score, out of a possible 100. These are the Top 20 cities for young people.

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20. Shanghai, China

YES Score: 60.4

Strengths: Good employment opportunities Good educational opportunities

Weaknesses: Opportunities based on individuals place of birth Fierce competition for jobs

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19. Moscow, Russia

YES Score: 61.1

Strengths: Government programs for youth Education financing

Weaknesses: Skills mismatch (students not being taught skills employers want) Lack of stable employment

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18. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

YES Score: 61.4

Strengths: Educational loans and scholarships Large services sector

Weaknesses: Discrimination against minorities Skills gap (graduates don't always have the right skills for the private sector)

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17. Beijing, China

YES Score: 61.6

Strengths: Educational opportunities Employment opportunities

Weaknesses: Intense competition Registration system that limits opportunities for those born outside Beijing

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16. Warsaw, Poland

YES Score: 62.1

Strengths: Education development program Subsidies and loans for start-ups and entrepreneurs

Weaknesses: Many jobs are fixed-term contracts Income inequality

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15. Tel Aviv, Israel

YES Score: 62.8

Strengths: Government developing technology sector City support programs for education and employment

Weaknesses: Cost of living Arab Israelis face larger obstacles

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14. Dubai, UAE

YES Score: 65.7

Strengths: Heavily committed to Emirati youth Growth of private sector

Weaknesses: Poor opportunities for foreign youth Labour rights violations are common

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13. Seoul, South Korea

YES Score: 66.0

Strengths: Access to technology Access to funding for education

Weaknesses: Lack of housing High youth unemployment rate

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12. Madrid, Spain

YES Score: 69.8

Strengths: Inexpensive education Benefits for the unemployed

Weaknesses: High youth unemployment rate Many jobs are short-term contracts

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11. Taipei, Taiwan

YES Score: 70.4

Strengths: Access to technology Good government support

Weaknesses: Lack of affordable housing High youth unemployment

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10. Miami, Florida

YES Score: 70.5

Strengths: City youth programs Quality education

Weaknesses: High youth unemployment rate High rate of informal employment

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9. Sydney, Australia

YES Score: 71.9

Strengths: High quality education Access to educational financing

Weaknesses: Cost of living Lack of local government support

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8. London, UK

YES Score: 74.0

Strengths: Government support for youth programs Wide range of employment opportunities

Weaknesses: High cost of living Lack of full-time, secure jobs

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7. Los Angeles, California

YES Score: 74.2

Strengths: City youth programs Access to technology

Weaknesses: High youth unemployment High cost of living

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6. Washington, DC

YES Score: 74.7

Strengths: City youth programs High-wage federal government jobs

High childhood poverty rate High youth unemployment rates (especially black and Latino youth)

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5. Hong Kong

YES Score: 74.8

Strengths: Education and training Generous city scholarships

Weaknesses: Stagnating economy Lack of employment opportunities

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4. Singapore

YES Score: 76.2

Strengths: Top quality employment opportunities Safe working environment

Weaknesses: Pessimistic attitude amongst youth High cost of living

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3. Chicago, Illinois

YES Score: 76.3

Strengths: City youth programs Youth networks

Weaknesses: High unemployment Crime rate

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2. New York, New York

YES Score: 76.6

Strengths: City youth employment strategy Many city youth programs

Weaknesses: High cost of living Educational inequality

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1. Toronto

YES Score: 77.4

Strengths: Youth employment programs Wide variety of safe jobs

Weaknesses: High youth unemployment rate Competition from older people for the same job