The International Labor Organization (ILO) said on Wednesday that the number of job-seeking youths would likely jump by half a million by the end of 2016.

The ILO, a special body of the United Nations, added that the prognosis for 2017 wasn't much better and that the unemployment level was expected to remain steady.

The 71 million young people who are out of work puts the global youth unemployment rate at around 13.1 percent, according to the ILO. Sluggish economic growth the world over was to blame for the lack of gainful employment opportunities.

The ILO also said while many youths in developing countries may have jobs, 156 million of them live in poverty because they don't earn more than $3.10 (2.75 euros).

cjc/hg (epd, dpa)