The growing level of youth unemployment is causing a lot of anxiety and hopeless. Global youth unemployment rate(2023) is at 13%, representing approximately 64.9 million youths aged 15–24 who are unemployed.

In Sub-Saharan Africa the rate is at 8.9%, slightly with youth unemployment among women higher at 27%, compared to 16.9% for men.

In Kenya overall youth unemployment rate is 12.23% for individuals aged 15–24. Ages 20–24 is 16.8% and ages 15–19 is 11.1%. The broader youth Demographic (Ages 15–34) show unemployment rate at 67%, with youth comprising 35% of the Kenyan population.

The reason for this trends can be explained by a mix of economic, social, and policy-related factors.

Reasons for increased Jobless

• The mismatch between skills and labor market needs
  Many young graduates come from college. They have skills that are not in demand in the labor market. It shows that there is a gap between education and employment opportunities.
• Limited job creation
  Economies in many countries are not generating enough new jobs. This shortage fails to absorb the growing youth population entering the labor force.
• Lack of work experience
  Employers often prefer candidates with experience, putting fresh graduates at a disadvantage.
• Poor career guidance and education systems
  Schools do not offer adequate career counseling. As a result, youth are not well-prepared for training and the job market. The rigid curricula provided by education leave youth unprepared for the realities of the job market.
• Economic instability
  Many countries face recessions, inflation, and other financial crises. This reduces employment opportunities and increases layoffs.
• Overreliance on formal employment
  Formal employment has been thought to be the only type available. Young people seek formal jobs and overlook or undervalue informal and self-employment opportunities.
• Technological disruption
  The emergency of automation and AI have changed job profiles. Youth without requisite digital skills shall be left behind.
• Policy and governance issues
  Ineffective labor market policies, corruption, or slow government response will continue to worsen unemployment.

Jobless in Kenya

In Kenya, youth unemployment is driven by both general global trends and Kenya-specific issues.

Causes

1. Skills mismatch
   The education system has often emphasized on academic qualifications over practical skills. Many graduates have degrees but lack technical, vocational, or soft skills required by the job market.
2. Rapid population growth
   The youthful population, under 35 years, in Kenya is over 75% . The labor market cannot absorb the large number of youth entering the job market each year. There is high competition for few opportunities.
3. Limited job creation
   The economic growth in Kenya is concentrated in sectors like finance or real estate. These sectors are not labor-intensive. Sectors like manufacturing and agriculture that could employ more youth have stagnated or are underdeveloped.
4. Informal sector dominance
   It is a fact that the informal sector provides many jobs. However these jobs are often low-paying, unstable, and lack social protections. Many youth prefer formal employment, which is limited and competitive.
5. Inadequate support for entrepreneurship
   Many youth in Kenya have business ideas. However access to financing, mentorship, markets, and business training remains limited. Government initiatives exist like Uwezo Fund, Youth Enterprise Fund, among others but they face challenges in reach, impact, and sustainability.
6. Corruption and Nepotism
   Hiring processes in public institutions in Kenya are sometimes influenced by bribery or favoritism. This leads to sidelining of qualified but less-connected youth.
7. Digital divide
   There many digital jobs today. However many Kenyan youth lack access to technology, digital literacy, or reliable internet. This makes it hard to tap into online opportunities.
8. Policy gaps and implementation failures
   Kenya has many policies like the National Youth Employment Policy and Vision 2030. These policies are mainly on paper. Their implementation is often slow or underfunded.
9. Political instability and economic shocks
   Kenya’s economic activities have been interrupted by election cycles. Droughts and global shocks like COVID-19 have also caused interruptions. These disruptions affect economic activities disproportionately leading to youth employment.

Way Forward
To address unemployment, curriculum reforms must be initiated. There should be a stronger emphasis on TVET. The promotion of entrepreneurship is essential. Digital skills development is also crucial. Better policy implementation is needed. Anti-corruption measures must be enforced.

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