Background
According to the International Labour Office (ILO), mismatched skills between labour supply and demand on the labour market for young people is a persistent and growing trend. According to estimates, the global unemployment rate for young people reached 13.1% in 2017, with an increase in cases of long-term unemployment. In developing countries, which account for 90% of the world’s population of young people, two-thirds of young people are under-employed.
There are many reasons for this: on the one hand, there are not enough jobs in developing and transition countries; on the other hand, young people often have only limited access to the labour market due to their lack of qualifications, work experience and networks. As time goes by, the distinction between employment and unemployment becomes blurred for job seekers, especially since the number of temporary and part-time jobs is rapidly increasing. The young people who occupy these insecure jobs are seldom in a position to exert the influence needed to improve their situation. As a result, many young people turn to the informal sector for jobs. This sector is known for precarious working conditions, a lack of legal protection and social benefits, and a loss of tax revenue for the state. The challenges for Africa are particularly large: young people make up more than 50% of the population in most countries, population growth is high and migration, particularly rural-urban migration, is increasing.
To meet the needs of a jobs market that is constantly changing, in particular with the introduction of new technologies, young people must have access to relevant and high-quality education and training developed in partnership with the private sector.