The incidence of youth unemployment in urban Ethiopia

This study addresses some issues relating to the urban youth labour market in Ethiopia. Using data from the Ethiopian Urban Socio-Economic Survey, the study finds a staggeringly high level of youth unemployment in urban Ethiopia. This is particularly the case for the adult youth group where the unemployment rate is well over 50 per cent. That the youth makes up over a third of the population in urban centres and that it bears the brunt of the unemployment problem makes a strong case for designing appropriate policy that tackles youth unemployment and marginalisation. It is well established elsewhere that improving the economic position of the youth in general and the women section of the youth in particular constitutes an integral part of the fight against poverty. In view of this, addressing the issue of youth unemployment would strongly be in line with the current drive to curb poverty in Ethiopia. A number of suggestions have been made regarding ways of abating youth unemployment problem in urban Ethiopia.