Question

how has unemployment in south africa affected the south african youth and what are the possible solutions?

Answer 1

Youth unemployment in South Africa has reached critical proportions: it was measured at 53.6% in 2013, and in 2014, youth comprised 41.8% of the total national unemployment rate.

school-leavers do not exit the system with the requisite skills demanded by the labor market. Jobless growth occurring in South Africa’s economy. As the national economy now creates fewer and fewer jobs and top-down government job creation initiatives have proven ineffective, policies geared towards bolstering youth employment through alternative means are essential. Youth job creation will require a mix of policy tools and levers to create opportunities for this demographic and take advantage of new and neglected markets.

Possible ways to reduce the affect were:

1. Develop a stronger evidence base

2. Strengthen support for young people who do not access
formal post-secondary education

3. Support the livelihood efforts of young people

4. Target young people as they exit school

5. Create work opportunities for young people still at school

6. Help young people access work opportunities

7. Increase demand for young workers

In a labour market where the pathway to employment is unlikely to be smooth for most young people, we require a range of cobblestones that, with each step, help a young person to make his or her way to employment or some form of sustainable livelihood.