Supporting Jobs for Young Women and Men in Africa: A Framework for Country Level Analysis

Dirk Willem te Velde

Working Papers from African Economic Research Consortium

Abstract: A third of Africa's population consists of young people, and a quarter of jobs in Africa go to young people, twice as much as the world average. Finding jobs for the young is very much linked to a general employment challenge. Africa will see some 18 million additional young people entering the working age population each year by 2030, with around two-thirds or 13 million entering the labour market. This compares to nine million additional jobs each year that were created between 2003 and 2016, meaning a step up of 50% in the job creation rate is required to address demographic challenges. The jobs crisis is not a straightforward supply-side or education and skills challenge, as in most African countries, the share of youth unemployment goes up with level of education and the returns to tertiary education has decreased in several African countries. This suggests that a higher level of education is not a guarantee for employment, and we need to consider which complementary actions can develop sectors which can pull in employment opportunities, for young men and women.

Date: 2022-08
Note: African Economic Research Consortium
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