Challenges Facing Young People in Industrial Towns and Regions of the Global North: Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

The present and future of industrial towns and regions rely heavily on the well‐being of young people, who are especially prone to outmigration. Their population dynamics, lifestyles, and complex needs pose challenges for urban and regional planners. This paper presents a systematic literature review of the everyday challenges faced by youth in industrial towns and regions of the Global North. Using the PRISMA approach and specific inclusion criteria, we identified 30 peer‐reviewed articles published between 1990 and 2024. The main challenges identified include deindustrialisation and its socio‐economic consequences, the erosion of industrial identity, and inadequate support systems in education, employment, and social inclusion—typical of ‘left‐behind’ places. Future research should better examine good practices, the impact of different development pathways on young people, and youth's role in regional development and ‘just transition’ processes.