Youth Unemployment Hits 5.6% Amid Remote Work Surge: NY Fed

The unemployment rate for young college graduates increased to 5.6% in March 2026, up from 3.6% in March 2019, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The researchers attribute approximately 64% of this rise to the growth of remote work. Additionally, a Gallup survey from May 2025 indicated that only 6% of Gen Z workers prefer fully on-site work, while 71% favor a hybrid model. This shift in work dynamics may hinder on-the-job training, thus causing companies to be reluctant in hiring inexperienced employees.