Youth unemployment means young people without jobs. Today, many young people worldwide can’t find work. This problem is big. It affects our economies and communities. We need to know about it and address it.
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A look at youth unemployment across the globe
Young people face significant challenges in their search for employment, with notable differences across regions. Let’s explore how different parts of the world are experiencing this challenge.
North America
United States: In November 2016, for every 100 young people between the ages of 16 and 24, 10 couldn’t find jobs. Rewind to August 2012, and the situation was even starker, with 17 out of 100 youth unemployed.
Canada: The scenario is similar. As of September 2016, 13 out of 100 young individuals were on the job hunt, indicating a persistent challenge.
Europe
United Kingdom: By August 2016, 13% of the youth were without jobs, mirroring challenges faced by their counterparts across the ocean.
Italy: The employment landscape was distinct. Between 2007 and 2012, job opportunities dwindled for young adults. In contrast, those aged between 55 and 64 found more job openings. Such a trend underscores the urgency of creating more opportunities for the younger demographic.
Africa
South Africa: The situation here is particularly alarming. In June 2016, a staggering 53 out of every 100 young individuals were without employment.
Nigeria: The challenge persists, with 24% of its youthful population grappling with unemployment.
Algeria and Morocco: Both these nations have high youth unemployment rates. By December 2015, 30 out of every 100 young Algerians were jobless, while in Morocco, the figure stood at 22 out of 100 by September 2016.
Asia
Compared to other regions, parts of Asia show encouraging figures. Countries like Kazakhstan, Japan, Thailand, and Hong Kong have managed to keep their youth unemployment rates relatively low. For example, in Kazakhstan, just 4 out of every 100 young people were seeking jobs.
How to reduce youth unemployment
The following are ways countries can reduce youth unemployment:
1. Tackling corruption among leaders
Corruption among world leaders is a big problem. When leaders are corrupt, lots of money that should be used for good things, like jobs for young people, gets stolen. This money often ends up in foreign banks instead of helping the country’s people.
For example, in Nigeria, many young people can’t find jobs. About 80% of them are unemployed, says the World Bank Group. One reason is corruption. Back in 2004, Nigeria was among the most corrupt countries. This corruption means less money for jobs and help for young people.
2. Making strong anti-corruption groups
A good way to help young people find jobs is by stopping corruption. If we can stop leaders from stealing money, there will be more money for jobs.
We should make strong groups that watch the government and stop corruption. These groups should not be controlled by the government. They should be independent.
3. Helping young people learn skills
Learning skills is very important. When young people have skills, they can find jobs or even start their own businesses.
Both the government and other organizations should help young people learn new skills. They can do this by giving scholarships or setting up training programs. This will help young people earn money and also teach others.
Many young people can do many different jobs. Some might write books, some might make things, and some might work on computers. The more skills they have, the more ways they can earn money. When they earn more, they can have a good life and also help others.
4. Dive into research and training
Research is powerful. By digging deep and searching for information, young people can find new ways to get jobs. With the internet, it’s easier now more than ever to learn skills. There are many groups willing to teach young people skills that can help them find jobs, like graphic design or web development. These jobs are in demand and can give many young people a start.
Another great area is information marketing. This doesn’t just give young people a job; it also helps them grow and help others. Many young folks learned this skill by just researching online. It’s a solid way to tackle the job issue.
5. Boost funding for universities and learning spots
Many young people go to universities to learn and hope for a job afterward. But sometimes, even after studying hard, they end up with no job. One big problem is that many learning places don’t get enough money to run well.
When universities don’t have enough funds, they can’t give students the best education. This means students graduate but aren’t fully ready for jobs. To fix this, we need to make sure universities have enough money and resources. They need good tools, enough teachers, and the right facilities.
But it’s not just about giving money. We also need to make sure that all young people, no matter if they’re rich or poor, can go to these universities. By removing money problems and making it easier for everyone to study, we can help more young people get ready for jobs.
Finding jobs for young people is crucial. By focusing on research, better training, and supporting schools, we can make a big difference. Together, we can create a brighter future where every young person has the chance to work and succeed.
Read also: The 6 biggest universities in the world for enrolled students
