Its State of the Nation report found that, according to most recent available data, 11% of young people were out of work in 2022.
In contrast, in 2014, when data on 16- to 24-year-olds in work was first recorded, the unemployment rate was at 17%. In pandemic-hit 2020, 16% of young people were out of work.
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The Commission says the latest figures mean “far fewer young people are suffering the negative effects of unemployment”.
But it warns those who are out of work are finding it more difficult to secure a job, as vacancy rates have fallen over the last year.
Its report looked at social mobility across a range of areas of children and young people’s lives.
This found that the attainment gap between pupils eligible for free school meals and their classmates “remains largely unchanged from last year”.
Also unchanged is disadvantaged girls performing better than disadvantaged boys. At the age of 11, almost half of girls from poorer families reach the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to two in five boys
The Commission also details that the proportion of children living in relative poverty, after housing costs, has risen since 2012. Three in 10 children now live in poverty according to this metric.
While this is below levels reached in the 1990s it is higher than child poverty seen in the 1960s and 1970s, the Commission warns.
Another finding is that the socio-economic attainment gap among university students has narrowed. While in 2014 young people from higher professional backgrounds were almost four times more likely to be studying for a degree than those from poorer homes, this gap had narrowed to just over two times more likely by 2022.
However, regional differences in social mobility continue, adds the Commission’s report.
Communities in the North of England, Midlands, Wales and Scotland have worse social mobility across a variety of measures, including child poverty and education data, compared to Greater London, the South of England and Eastern areas.
“The Social Mobility Commission's findings highlight stark regional disparities on a range of measures related to opportunity and social mobility," said Nick Harrison, chief executive of social mobility charity the Sutton Trust.
“These are consistent with patterns of regional prosperity, and with child poverty increasing this is likely to worsen in the coming years without action.
“Policy attention is needed to improve education and job opportunities and to tackle child poverty, particularly in the most deprived areas of the country.
“Ensuring all young people can fulfil their potential regardless of where they grow up is not just about fairness, it is also vital for the UK's future prosperity and productivity.”
