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youth employment trends south africa

Youth Employment Trends in South Africa 2023

Stephen Timm | South Africa | 23 October 2023

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Report Coverage

This report on trends in youth employment is one in a series of trends reports published by Who Owns Whom that also include trends in areas such as mining, FMCG, agribusiness, fintech and transport and logistics. The trends in youth employment report includes information on youth population, education and employment, labour force participation, business sectors employing youth, causes of unemployment and government and private sector interventions.

Introduction

• South Africa continues to have one of the highest youth unemployment rates in the world. \r\n
• Long term youth unemployment has led to an increase in youth discouraged from work, and represents a threat to social stability. \r\n
• High youth unemployment largely reflects poor education outcomes and a skills mismatch, and more than a decade and a half of low economic growth. \r\n
• Experts say youth unemployment could be reduced by providing soft skills, career guidance and entrepreneurship support. \r\n
• While private initiatives have had some success, their impact is marginal in addressing the youth unemployment crisis.

Strengths

• Government and the private sector initiatives to increase youth employment.
• Young employees bring new ideas and practices to companies and organisations.

Weaknesses

• High youth unemployment rate.
• Lack of career counselling.
• Low number of youth-owned businesses.
• Low success of the Employment Tax Incentive.
• Poor education and training outcomes.
• Public youth employment initiatives are not well co-ordinated.
• Skills mismatch.

Opportunities

• Emigration could provide youth with more skills and new ideas.
• New technologies can create more employment through remote and gig work.
• Privately-run youth employment initiatives.
• Proposed procurement set-asides for youth.

Threats

• Government spending challenges could limit the expansion of public employment programmes.
• Low economic growth which will not create sufficient demand for companies to employ youth.
• More youth could emigrate leading to a possible reduction in skilled people.
• The youth unemployment crisis could fuel crime and social instability.

Outlook

• The outlook for youth employment in South Africa remains grim, and youth unemployment is expected to rise unless there are interventions, including fixing the education system.\r\n
• As it will take time to improve education outcomes, public employment programmes and entrepreneurship support can play an important role. \r\n
• A question hangs over the continuation of public programmes given government’s spending challenges.

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Youth Employment Trends in South Africa
Youth Employment Trends in South Africa 2023

Full Report

R 9 500.00(ZAR) estimated $526.95 (USD)*

Table of Contents

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PAGE
1. INTRODUCTION 1
2. OVERVIEW OF YOUTH EMPLOYMENT 1
2.1. Youth Population 1
2.2. Education 4
2.3. Employment 4
3. STATE OF YOUTH EMPLOYMENT 10
3.1. Local 10
3.2. Trends 13
3.3. Regulations 14
4. INFLUENCING FACTORS 15
4.1. Economic Environment 15
4.2. Youth Unemployment 16
4.3. Skills Mismatch 17
4.4. Poor Education Outcomes and Low Throughput 18
4.5. Entrepreneurship 19
4.6. Underemployment 21
4.7. Emigration 21
4.8. Technology and New Jobs 22
4.9. Government Interventions 22
4.10. Private Sector Support Programmes 27
5. GLOBAL 29
6. MEASURES TO TACKLE YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT 32
7. SWOT ANALYSIS 33
8. OUTLOOK 34
9. REFERENCES 34
9.1. Publications 34
9.2. Websites 36