The 1988 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships was the 12th edition of the Ice Hockey World Junior Championship and was held in Moscow, Soviet Union.

Canada and the Soviet Union won the gold and silver medals respectively as the two nations redeemed themselves following their mutual disqualification in the 1987 tournament as a result of the Punch-up in Piestany.

The 1988 tournament was a round-robin format, with the top three teams winning gold, silver and bronze medals respectively.

Eight teams contested the second tier this year in Sapporo Japan from March 12 to 21.

Eight teams contested the third tier this year in Belluno and Feltre, Italy from March 18 to 27.