The tremors of the global financial crisis, and its enduring impact on youth unemployment rates in Australia, have been felt differently by the nation’s young men and young women.

Both groups have been under intense pressure in their job search: the unemployment rate for youth aged 15 to 24 years hovers above 13 per cent – a level not experienced in this country since the early 2000s. However, analysing Australian Bureau of Statistics trend data shows that there has been a marked difference in the effects on young males and females.

Today, teenage boys and young men who are in the labour market (which comprises people in work or looking for work) are more likely than young women to be unemployed – that is, looking for work.

Meanwhile, young women are more likely to be underemployed – having some work but wanting more hours, and so not counted in the official unemployment rates published each month.

This highlights the different challenges the two sexes face in a complex job market. Young people lacking experience must negotiate a globalised modern economy that is rapidly shifting to a knowledge and service base, and demanding more than ever of all its employees – including its new entrants.

The gender scenario outlined by the data is nuanced. Males aged 15 to 24 today are at higher risk of unemployment in Australia but once they have secured a job they are less likely than young females to be underemployed.

In contrast, girls and young women in the labour force are more likely to be employed than the young men, but also more likely to be working fewer hours than they would like to.

Overall, as at August 2015, there were nearly 290,000 young people out of work nationwide – 55 per cent more, or 100,000 more people than at the start of the GFC in 2008.

Youth unemployment remains stubbornly, and troublingly, more than double the rate of overall unemployment in Australia.