--- title: "Recent College Graduates Face High Rates of Underemployment" url: https://newscentral.site/recent-college-graduates-face-high-rates-of-underemployment/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "Business" published: 2026-10-26T06:00:00.000Z updated: 2026-10-26T09:39:40.021Z id: c1966a87-757f-4c03-939e-f7abd85e32cc source: "Fortune https://fortune.com/2026/10/26/gen-z-underemployment-riots-france-cockroach-india-rebellion/" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/recent-college-graduates-face-high-rates-of-underemployment/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Recent College Graduates Face High Rates of Underemployment The latest statistics reveal that 42% of recent college graduates were working in non-bachelor's degree required positions in June. A growing number of America's recent college graduates are finding themselves in jobs that don't require a degree. According to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, nearly half of these young adults are underemployed. The latest statistics reveal that 42% of recent college graduates, aged between 22 and 27, were working in non-bachelor's degree required positions in June. This figure has remained relatively stable over the past few months, with some fluctuations, but is still significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels. Underemployment is just one part of a broader issue affecting this demographic - unemployment is also on the rise. The jobless rate for recent college graduates hit 5.7% in June, significantly higher than the overall unemployment rate of 4.1%. This trend has been ongoing since January 2021, with the gap between recent graduates' unemployment and the average worker's increasing to a record high. Certain degrees are faring particularly poorly in terms of employment prospects. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York's data highlights the disparity across different college majors, with those studying criminal justice facing the highest rates of underemployment at 65.8%, followed closely by performing arts and fine arts. The disparity in underemployment rates across different college majors is stark, with some fields facing significantly higher rates than others. Computer engineering graduates are struggling to find work, with an underemployment rate of 7.8%, second only to those studying criminal justice. This trend is not limited to the United States, as young people around the world take to the streets in protest. From Kathmandu to Paris, demonstrations against economic inequality and lack of opportunity have become increasingly common. The consequences of this overproduction of university graduates are far-reaching, according to Peter Turchin, a professor emeritus at the University of Connecticut. He argues that when too many individuals pursue elite education for a limited number of positions, it can lead to widespread disillusionment and social unrest. Turchin's theory, known as "elite overproduction, suggests that this phenomenon is not unique to modern times, but rather a recurring pattern throughout history. He points out that the United States is currently facing multiple pressures, including rising national debt, which has reached a record $40 trillion with no signs of slowing down. The value of a university degree is being called into question as high unemployment rates among recent graduates persist. Turchin's observations suggest that this trend is not limited to the economy, but also reflects deeper societal issues that require urgent attention and reform. The growing discontent among young people worldwide is a reflection of deeper societal issues that need to be addressed urgently. In various countries, protests have erupted in response to government policies and actions perceived as out of touch with the needs and aspirations of the youth. The catalyst for these demonstrations has often been the perceived disconnect between those in power and the struggles faced by young people. In Nepal, a social media ban sparked widespread unrest, leading to the resignation of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli after 76 people lost their lives. The Nepo Kids hashtag highlighted the issue of youth unemployment, with many feeling that politicians were more concerned with showcasing their luxurious lifestyles than addressing the economic woes of their constituents. Similar sentiments have been expressed in India, where a Chief Justice's comments about unemployed young people being parasites on society sparked outrage. The ensuing Cockroach Janta Party movement used satire to draw attention to issues such as exam leaks and corruption within the education system. The resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is a testament to the power of these protests in bringing about change, but it also underscores the need for more comprehensive reforms that address the root causes of this discontent. The protests sweeping across Europe have taken a turn for the worse in France, where high school students have been walking out of classes since mid-September over issues of teacher shortages and overcrowded classrooms. By October, nearly a third of France's 3,700 lycées had been disrupted, with around 550,000 people taking to the streets on October 17 as the protests widened into anger over the cost of living. The demonstrations turned violent in several cities, highlighting the deep-seated frustration among young people. The demands of the students are clear: they want more university places, specifically an additional 250,000 spots. However, Higher Education Minister Philippe Baptiste has dismissed this idea as pure demagogy", sparking a standoff between the government and the protesters. The situation in France is not unique - protests have also spread to Belgium, Albania, Greece, and Italy, part of a broader wave of youth unrest across Europe. The underlying issue seems to be a mismatch between the number of available university places and the demand for them, with many young people feeling that they are being denied access to good education. The parallels with other countries are striking, particularly in the United States where Rana Foroohar has argued that America is starting to resemble Italy, where older workers hold onto good jobs while younger generations struggle to find decent employment. The unemployment rate among young American workers continues to be a pressing concern. According to recent data, 7.1% of workers aged 20-24 are currently unemployed, compared to 3.6% for those between 25 and 54 years old and 3% for individuals over 55. This disparity is not unique to the United States, as Italy's youth unemployment rate stands at a staggering 20%. The ratio of young people's unemployment to middle-aged workers' unemployment is roughly double in both countries. Experts argue that this is partly due to the impact of artificial intelligence on the job market, favoring experienced older workers and squeezing entry-level positions. A recent study by the Census Bureau found that graduates in fields heavily exposed to AI faced a significant drop in their chances of landing a first job. In fact, they were 13% less likely to earn a decent income compared to their peers. This trend is not limited to the United States or Italy; it's a global phenomenon. The underemployment rate among new college graduates has been consistently high, hovering around 40% historically. However, what's changed in recent years is that a degree no longer guarantees a lower jobless rate. For many young people, tending bar or working low-skilled jobs after graduation is becoming the norm rather than a temporary detour. Countries such as Nepal, India, and France have seen large numbers of young people protest against perceived injustices in the education system. They argue that the system is rigged against them, making it impossible to secure good-paying jobs despite their qualifications. A large number of recent college graduates in the US are finding themselves underemployed, working jobs that do not require a degree despite their educational qualifications. Many experts argue that this trend is a result of an oversaturated job market and a mismatch between the skills taught in universities and those demanded by employers. The issue is not unique to the US, with young people from Kathmandu to Paris taking to the streets to protest against unemployment and underemployment. --- Source: [Fortune](https://fortune.com/2026/10/26/gen-z-underemployment-riots-france-cockroach-india-rebellion/) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/recent-college-graduates-face-high-rates-of-underemployment/