In sub-Saharan Africa, three-quarters of the youth population lacks secure employment, reflecting a significant deficit in decent work opportunities.
These findings are from the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Global Employment Trends for Youth (GET for Youth) report recently released to mark its anniversary.
As an anniversary edition, it reflects on the progress made since the beginning of the twenty-first century while also considering the future of youth employment in a world increasingly characterised by crises and uncertainties.
The report underscores that young people in most regions continue to struggle to find secure employment, and their chances diminish further as the income level of their country decreases.
In low-income countries, young adults aged 25-29 are still at least three times more likely to find only insecure jobs compared to their peers in high-income countries. This suggests that access to decent work has not improved over time and there’s also a growing issue of “overeducation” or educational mismatch.
Key statistics
According to the report, 13% of the young labour force was unemployed in 2023, representing the lowest rate in 15 years and a decrease from pre-pandemic levels across all but three subregions.
Additionally, it is noted that in 2023, 20% of young people were classified as NEET (Not in Employment, Education, or Training), with two-thirds of global NEETs being women.
Global challenges
The report highlights several global challenges facing young people in the labour market. Some of these challenges are reflected in the low to mid-income economies.
In the Arab States and North Africa for example, one in three economically active youths remain unemployed.
Similarly, in sub-Saharan Africa, three-quarters of the youth population lack secure employment, reflecting a significant deficit in decent work opportunities.
Furthermore, in developing economies, two-thirds of young adult workers possess qualifications that do not align well with their current jobs, indicating a widespread issue of educational mismatch.
Rising anxiety levels among youths are also a concern, with two in three young people expressing worries about losing their jobs.
Additionally, demographic pressures are highlighted, with Africa’s youth labour force expected to grow by 76 million by 2050, while other regions face a decline in young workers.
The report also notes significant inequalities in opportunities, as four out of five young adult workers in high-income countries are in regular paid jobs, compared to only one in five in low-income countries.
‘Over-education’ and education mid-match
Globally, the report acknowledges that young people today have greater opportunities to stay in school, with significant increases in youth participation in education and training, except in low-income countries.
However, due to the slow pace of structural economic transformation, returns to education have slightly decreased since the start of the millennium. Additionally, the proportion of young workers in jobs that do not match their higher-level qualifications has increased over time, indicating a growing issue of “overeducation” or educational mismatch.
