United Nations, August 24 (IPS) – As COVID-19 brings economies to a halt globally, many analysts have predicted that young people will be particularly at risk. This is because young people tend to have fewer economic assets and limited labor market experience.
A recent report by the International Labor Organization (ILO) published on 11 August 2022 confirmed this vulnerability. The Global employment trends for youth 2022 found that the pandemic put more youth employment rates back on track than any other age group.
Some regions struggle with youth employment more than others. High-income countries will see their youth employment rates return to pre-pandemic levels by the end of the year, the report revealed. In Africa, however, the decline will only exacerbate an already dangerous situation.
Africa has the youngest population in the world. 70% of sub-Saharan Africans are under the age of 30. But, just 3 million jobs available for 10-12 million young people in the market every year.
According to the ILO, one in five young Africans will be without work, education or training by 2020.
Young people across Africa face both unemployment and underemployment. Both situations have potentially serious long-term consequences for young people.
In South Africa, the problem of unemployment is serious. The current youth ratio is 63.9 percent.
Dr. Lauren Graham, Director of the Center for Social Development in Africa at the University of Johannesburg, explains one of the fundamental challenges is the nation’s stellar labor market.
“Much of the challenge is on the demand side – high unemployment associated with years of low job growth – not being enough to absorb large numbers of job seekers. Young job seekers often enter the labor market at the back of the labor market queue with limited experience and qualifications. “
Elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa, young people are more likely to be underemployed. Unable to find formal employment, many end up having to informal economy, engage in precarious work to earn wages.
Limited economic opportunities for young people can cause major problems for society. It can often lead to a increase in alcohol and drug abuse and crime. Researchers have shown that a large number of unemployed youth have also lead to political instabilityThe most notable example is the Arab Spring.
In its report, the ILO made several recommendations to governments around the world to promote youth employment. Chief among them are investments in blue (activity related to the marine environment) and green (works aimed at reducing environmental risks) economies.
According to the ILO, such investments could create up to 8.4 million jobs globally for young people. This is a particularly loud cry for Africa, because its natural property breadth.
The ILO also recommends that governments support youth-led entrepreneurship — a view that Professor Tony Bailetti of Carleton University consistently makes.
“The immediate task for all of us is to develop and implement actionable policies at the national and regional levels. The most effective policies will be those that promote cross-border, digital and inclusive entrepreneurship to transform the future of young people. “
Many NGOs in Africa are also supporting startup ideas. One, Junior Achievement (JA) Africa, has enjoyed considerable success with its entrepreneurship education program.
The organization collaborates with education ministries in 13 different countries to offer work readiness and skills development programs to students. So far, they have reached more than 300,000.
Senanu Adiku, JA Africa’s marketing and communications officer told IPS the company believes it can make an impact in addressing youth employment in Africa.
He said: “JA Africa sees entrepreneurship education as the solution to this gap, not only to create entrepreneurs but also to train young people in skills in the few jobs that are actually available because they need to improve their skills.
He added. Empowering a student to start a business will get other students employed by the business. Many students will also be inspired to set up their own businesses.
More than 72 percent of students participating in JA Africa’s program have gone on to establish businesses, according to company survey. Most of these initiatives also benefit their communities.
“These activities often create community-driven businesses that aim to solve some of the serious problems in their communities, like plastic, plastic pollution. They look at youth empowerment. They try to come up with solutions to some of the things that they see around them. So really, we are creating solution providers who will also go ahead and help others.”
The organization aims to expand to 20 countries, reaching one million young people across the continent.
Concluding its report, the ILO noted that the COVID-19 recovery offers an opportunity for governments to pursue policies that promote youth employment.
“What young people need most is a well-functioning labor market with good job opportunities for those already in the labor market, along with quality education and training opportunities for those who haven’t. ,” Martha Newton, ILO Deputy Director-General for Policy, stated in the report’s press release.
On South Africa’s unemployment, Graham stressed that regardless of the policy chosen to address the crisis, policymakers should consider poverty-related barriers that may impede the ability to youth access to employment.
“Young people also struggle to transition into the labor market at the same time as they face many forms of deprivation including food and income insecurity, caregiving responsibilities and in some cases case is stressful mental health.”
All of the proposed policies are needed and welcome, Graham told IPS, but they will need to be assessed to see how determined young people are to measure their real impact.
Report of the United Nations Office IPS
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