Tackling Youth Unemployment in Africa
She (yes, it is a she) … is 18.5 years old. She lives in a rural area. She has dropped out of school. She is single, but is about to be married or be given in marriage to a man approximately twice her age. She will be the mother of six or seven kids in another 20 years. … You get the picture … Jobless mother marries poor rural dweller. They have many children. They live happily … in poverty forever after.
—A World Bank story on the ADI, describing a portrait of the typical African youth
What Issues Do African Youth Face?
December 8, 2008—This year, the World Bank's annual report on Africa focuses on youth unemployment in the region. The 2008–2009 Africa Development Indicators (ADI) is titled "Youth and Employment in Africa: The Potential, the Problem, the Promise," and argues that finding productive employment for young Africans is one of the continent's biggest challenges. The report features statistics around youth unemployment in the region and suggests concrete ways to address the issue.
- Over 200 millions Africans fall into the youth category (ages 15 to 24 years)
- Youth make up 40% of Africa's working age population, and 60% of total unemployed
- The share of unemployed youth among the total unemployed is as high as 83% in Uganda, 68% in Zimbabwe, and 56% in Burkina Faso
- Overall, 72% of African youth live on less than $2 a day
School drop-out rates and early motherhood are big problems for youth across Africa, hurting their ability to gain skills and develop careers. Unskilled youth are less likely to find work, more likely to get stuck in low-paying jobs, and more vulnerable to early marriage and parenthood. The situation is worsened by discrimination based on sex, ethnicity, race, religion, culture, health, or family status. In particular, young women in rural areas are falling behind in terms of skills, knowledge and experience, as well as access to savings and credit.
Even getting an education does not guarantee a job. In fact, data show high levels of unemployment among those with more education and from wealthy households. Also, the fortunate ones who find work often face very long working hours and insecure working conditions.
The report points out that the consequences of such high levels of youth unemployment are dire, with jobless youth turning to crime and armed conflict. Especially in countries emerging from conflicts, helping young people find employment should be a major part of any peace-building process. And in any country, youth employment is necessary for poverty eradication, sustainable development, and lasting peace.
What Is the Potential of African Youth?
Youth are a powerful force for change, and it's crucial that new policies are created to expand job and education alternatives, and increase public training opportunities for disadvantaged urban and rural youth.
The report lists agriculture as one of the most promising areas for youth employment, and suggests ways to help young farmers to move away from subsistence agriculture, by improving productivity with better technology and infrastructure.
Encouraging entrepreneurship can also play an important role. Currently, it is one of the least-tapped areas. Training, access to credit and business-friendly environments, may help young people realize their creative genius for entrepreneurial initiatives.
Overall, the report says that overcoming youth unemployment in Africa in a sustainable way will take several major policy measures, including:
- Expanding rural job opportunities
- Improving investment and macroeconomic environments
- Encouraging and supporting entrepreneurship
- Improving access to education and skills
- Addressing demographic issues such as early motherhood
- Supporting youth who face violent and post-conflict settings
- Improving labor market conditions
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