Despite a recovering US economy and a surge in opportunities across health care, a troubling divide has emerged among America’s youngest workers. Gen Z men are facing an unemployment crisis, one that’s persisted for years, while their female peers gain a stronghold in careers shielded from automation and economic downturns.
The gender gap in unemployment is widening
The numbers tell a stark story. In the first quarter of 2025, 9.1% of men aged 20 to 24 were unemployed compared to just 6.6% of women in the same age group, according to an analysis of US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, reported by Fortune. By the second quarter, the trend continued: 9.1% of young men jobless versus 7.2% of young women.This isn’t just a recent blip. Over the past five years, women in this age bracket have maintained an employment advantage, with rates 0.6% to 2.5% higher than men. Historically, young men had the edge in employment before the pandemic, but that flipped during the lockdown era and has remained that way ever since.Experts point to the pandemic as a turning point—when job markets in service and care sectors rebounded faster than male-dominated industries. And in a post-pandemic world, another disruptor has accelerated the shift: artificial intelligence.
AI has reshaped the careers young men once banked on
The rise of AI has created a new reality for entry-level job seekers, especially those targeting tech and finance—the two sectors where many men had traditionally focused. Fortune notes that computer-programmer employment recently dropped to its lowest level since 1980.For years, coding and engineering roles promised six-figure salaries and job security. Now, automation tools are performing many of the tasks once handled by junior programmers, reducing the demand for fresh graduates.The result? Fierce competition for fewer openings. Many recent grads report applying to hundreds or even thousands of positions without success. “Ghost jobs,” where companies leave postings online without actively hiring, add to the frustration.
Women bet on health care, and it paid off
While men chased tech careers, women leaned into health care—a sector that’s not only recession-resistant but also nearly immune to AI-driven disruption. From nursing to surgical assistance, these roles require hands-on skills that no algorithm can replicate.According to 2025 data from Indeed cited by Fortune, postings for home health, physician, and nursing roles have jumped an astounding 162% since pre-pandemic times. Physician and surgeon openings alone have increased by 90%.Why the boom? America’s aging population is fueling unprecedented demand for medical services. The BLS projects nearly 1.9 million new health care job openings annually over the next decade, ensuring long-term stability in the sector.Women already dominate the field: in 2021, they made up 77.6% of the 21.2 million workers in health care and social assistance, according to BLS data reported by Fortune. As this demand grows, so does their advantage in the labor market.
NEETs: The invisible crisis among Gen Z men
For many men unable to secure stable work, the fallback isn’t a lower-paying job. It’s no job at all. In 2022, roughly 4.3 million Gen Z Americans fell into the NEET category: not in employment, education, or training, according to Fortune, citing data from the International Labor Organisation.This problem extends beyond the U.S. Roughly 20% of the world’s youth—about one in five people aged 15 to 24—fit the NEET definition. In the US, this trend signals a deeper issue: even men who followed the traditional success playbook—college, internships, networking, are finding the job market stacked against them.
Is a college degree still worth it?
The value of a four-year degree is under scrutiny. According to Fortune, the unemployment rate among recent college graduates hit 4.8% in June. Even more striking: men with college degrees now face roughly the same unemployment rate as those without one, based on an analysis of U.S. Current Population Survey data by the Financial Times.This shift is driving more young people, especially men, toward blue-collar trades. Plumbing, electrical work, and HVAC roles offer strong wages, job security, and minimal student debt. Some trades even promise six-figure incomes after a few years of experience, challenging the long-standing narrative that a college degree is the only path to success.
What’s next for Gen Z men?
The future of work is clear: roles that require hands-on expertise and resist automation will dominate the next decade. Health care leads the list, but skilled trades and technical jobs also offer stability and growth. With nearly two million annual openings projected in health care alone, the opportunities are there, just not in the sectors many men expected.As automation accelerates and traditional white-collar paths shrink, Gen Z men must reconsider their options—or risk being left behind. The future belongs to those willing to pivot toward industries that AI can’t touch.
