Aspiring & Hopeful Generations

Abstract

Ethiopia is characterized as a young population. According to The National Reproductive Survey in 2020, 20% of the population is aged between 15 to 24 years old, while 70% of the population is less than 35 years of age. While the number of young people entering the labor market is increasing at an alarming rate, employment opportunities are inadequate to accommodate this new labor force, particularly showing a much higher rate for urban youth. According to the Ethiopian Central Statistical Agency rate of unemployment among urban young people in Ethiopia, which was 16.9% in 2016, has risen to 19.1% in 2018. Low educational attainment is one of the key factors responsible for the high unemployment rate of youth, as most of them are less likely to pursue their education beyond primary education. Failure to pass national examinations to pursue education in upper-secondary schools and universities is thus another challenge for the Ethiopian youth. For this reason, a greater number of young women and men are engaged in the informal sector to earn their living. Moreover, the income-generating activities that young women and men engage in are highly gendered, and only a few young women can establish viable businesses. Despite the blueprint concerning youth challenges of accessing livelihood opportunities, there has been limited research on young people’s aspirations and their perception of dignified and fulfilling work in a manner to includes the youth voice in policy crafting.