There is something distressing about Africa. Seven of the world’s 10 fastest-expanding economies are on the continent, yet the nations are not creating jobs for their young people at a rate commensurate with their growth.
The continent has an unemployment time bomb of sorts, which in the past, has exploded with devastating results. This situation is disastrous, for Africa is considered the youngest continent, with youth making up 70 percent of the population.
The problem of youth unemployment is a complex one and more than a simple matter of educational shortcomings. It is a question of economic opportunity, which is lacking throughout Africa. Employment prospects for young people leaving college remain very slim, and many struggle to find jobs that pay well enough to earn a decent living. Roughly 70 percent of African citizens live on less than US$2 a day.
Africa’s youth unemployment is five times the global rate. Today, 60 percent of those aged 15 to 24 have no job and the figure is higher if you include those between 25 and 35.
Over the years, successive governments in several African states have developed programs to tackle the issue. Some fail due to the sheer magnitude of the problem, while others from mismanagement or corruption.
Critics have rightly blamed African governments for their lack of creativity in addressing joblessness. Some governments, for instance, provide assistance to those with work experience but neglect graduates with fresh and exceptional talents.
Africa’s unemployment crisis is becoming painfully apparent. More and more, young people commit acts of delinquency, crime, violence and others that threaten social cohesion and political or economic stability. Youth unemployment has also been cited as a contributing factor in the growth of rebel movements that have plagued some African countries for decades. It is worth noting, too, that most of the instances of election violence and civil unrest, including the Arab Spring movements in parts of Africa, are fueled by youth unemployment.
But all is not lost for a continent whose unexploited economic potential has caught the world’s attention. Some countries have attempted to develop more robust programs for others to emulate.
Rwanda is a case in point, having established an impressive national youth policy. According to the policy, 5 percent of the national budget is allocated to the ministry of youth and the ministry of information, communication and technology. The goal is to help these ministries create opportunities for young people to start their own enterprises.
It is incumbent upon all African governments to make good use of their demographic dividend: their deep pool of youth, talent and creativity. It is imperative that they provide young people with opportunities to build decent livelihoods and be integrated into Africa’s growing economies.
It is encouraging that African leaders have declared 2009-18 the “Africa Youth Decade,” pledging to create new employment opportunities for young people. But they must do more than pay lip service to the problem—they must match words with action.
Photo: Hamid Abdulsalam/UNAMID (cc).
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Youth Unemployment Overshadows Economic Growth in Africa
August 4, 2014
There is something distressing about Africa. Seven of the world’s 10 fastest-expanding economies are on the continent, yet the nations are not creating jobs for their young people at a rate commensurate with their growth.
The continent has an unemployment time bomb of sorts, which in the past, has exploded with devastating results. This situation is disastrous, for Africa is considered the youngest continent, with youth making up 70 percent of the population.
The problem of youth unemployment is a complex one and more than a simple matter of educational shortcomings. It is a question of economic opportunity, which is lacking throughout Africa. Employment prospects for young people leaving college remain very slim, and many struggle to find jobs that pay well enough to earn a decent living. Roughly 70 percent of African citizens live on less than US$2 a day.
Africa’s youth unemployment is five times the global rate. Today, 60 percent of those aged 15 to 24 have no job and the figure is higher if you include those between 25 and 35.
Over the years, successive governments in several African states have developed programs to tackle the issue. Some fail due to the sheer magnitude of the problem, while others from mismanagement or corruption.
Critics have rightly blamed African governments for their lack of creativity in addressing joblessness. Some governments, for instance, provide assistance to those with work experience but neglect graduates with fresh and exceptional talents.
Africa’s unemployment crisis is becoming painfully apparent. More and more, young people commit acts of delinquency, crime, violence and others that threaten social cohesion and political or economic stability. Youth unemployment has also been cited as a contributing factor in the growth of rebel movements that have plagued some African countries for decades. It is worth noting, too, that most of the instances of election violence and civil unrest, including the Arab Spring movements in parts of Africa, are fueled by youth unemployment.
But all is not lost for a continent whose unexploited economic potential has caught the world’s attention. Some countries have attempted to develop more robust programs for others to emulate.
Rwanda is a case in point, having established an impressive national youth policy. According to the policy, 5 percent of the national budget is allocated to the ministry of youth and the ministry of information, communication and technology. The goal is to help these ministries create opportunities for young people to start their own enterprises.
It is incumbent upon all African governments to make good use of their demographic dividend: their deep pool of youth, talent and creativity. It is imperative that they provide young people with opportunities to build decent livelihoods and be integrated into Africa’s growing economies.
It is encouraging that African leaders have declared 2009-18 the “Africa Youth Decade,” pledging to create new employment opportunities for young people. But they must do more than pay lip service to the problem—they must match words with action.
Photo: Hamid Abdulsalam/UNAMID (cc).
