This report was published by the White House Council of Economic Advisers.

HERE’S HOW THE AUTHORS DESCRIBE THIS REPORT:

Millions of American youth face persistent gaps in opportunity that prevent them from reaching their potential and contributing fully to their communities and the economy. These disparities affect not only individuals, but our economy as a whole, through lost productivity and economic potential. In order for the United States to successfully compete in a 21st-century global economy, all of America’s youth must have the opportunity to be safe, healthy, educated, and prepared to succeed in their careers.

This report examines the barriers that disadvantaged youth, particularly young men of color, face and quantifies the enormous costs this poses to the U.S. economy. In particular, this report focuses on the significant disparities in education, exposure to the criminal justice system, and employment that persist between young men of color and other Americans.