SSA’s inactive youth to hit 91 million by 2045 – World Bank

Sub-Saharan Africa is set to face an increase in the number of young people who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET) over the next two decades, according to recent projections.

The report titled: Making Labor Markets Work for the Youth revealed that Sub-saharan Africa projections indicate that the number of young people in NEET will rise from 58 million in 2023 to 75 million in 2033 and 91 million by 2045, raising concerns over the region’s economic and social stability.

According to the report, this rise highlights the growing challenge of youth unemployment and inactivity, which carries long-term economic and social consequences.

“With a youth population that has surged by over 30 percent since 2010, Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to contribute a major share to the global increase in youth numbers over the next decade. Currently, the Global South is home to 1.1 billion of the world’s 1.2 billion youth, with South Asia, East Asia and the Pacific, and Sub-Saharan Africa accounting for nearly 75 percent of this demographic,” it said.

The report analysed by the World Bank in collaboration with the Global Labor Market Conference (GLMC) emphasised that the youth inactivity crisis is not confined to Africa alone.

It said that across the Global South, the total number of NEET youth reached 285 million in 2023, and without intervention, this figure is expected to rise to 295 million by 2033. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is also seeing an increase, with NEET numbers projected to climb from 23 million in 2023 to 27 million in 2033 before experiencing a slight decline by 2045.

Meanwhile, it said regions such as Europe, Central Asia, and Latin America are witnessing a stabilisation or decline in youth unemployment due to advanced aging populations.

One of the most pressing challenges highlighted in the report is the disproportionately high rate of female NEETs. Of the 285 million inactive youth worldwide, two-thirds are women, many of whom face economic inactivity due to early marriage, childbearing, unpaid labor, and caregiving responsibilities. Longer periods of inactivity further limit women’s ability to reenter the workforce, affecting their long-term employment prospects and financial independence.

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It said the consequences of youth unemployment extend beyond individuals to national economies and social stability. Prolonged joblessness reduces lifetime earnings, limits career growth, and contributes to persistent poverty cycles.

Additionally, financial dependency among unemployed youth increases reliance on family support and welfare programs. The report also links youth frustration due to unemployment with rising social unrest, crime, and political instability.

Addressing these challenges requires urgent interventions. It said “Governments and private sector stakeholders must collaborate to create employment opportunities and improve youth employability. Initiatives such as vocational training, entrepreneurship programs, and hiring incentives can help young people secure meaningful jobs.”

“Educational reforms, including school-to-work transition programs and second-chance education, are also critical in equipping youth with market-relevant skills,” the World Bank report added.

It added that policymakers must act swiftly to implement solutions that will empower the next generation.

“Investing in young people is not just a moral imperative but an economic necessity for sustainable development and long-term prosperity. Without immediate action, countries risk a growing generation of disillusioned youth unable to contribute meaningfully to their economies,” the report said.