Youth Employment in Sub-Saharan Africa

In: Africa Development Forum

Abstract

High fertility and declining mortality rates have led to a very young population in most Sub-Saharan African countries. The region?s labor force is expected to increase by 11 million people per year over the next 10 years. Most of this increase will be new entrants seeking their first job. While the younger generation is better educated than their parents, they often lack the means to translate that education into productive employment. Today, most work is in nonwage jobs on farms and in household enterprises. Even if greater economic activity were to create the conditions for robust growth an.