Jobs for Africa’s Expanding Youth Cohort: Employment Situation and Effective Interventions

Centre for International Policy Studies (CIPS) Podcasts

The stakes are always high when it comes to how well societies manage the transition to adulthood and this is especially true where the youth cohort is as large and rapidly growing as is the case in Sub-Saharan Africa. Jobs are a critical part of the challenge. This study examines the current employment situation and likely future prospects for youth in the region. It then reviews the policies and programs aimed at improving their employment opportunities. The research concludes that interventions that can really make a difference go well beyond standard prescriptions to support youth employment.This research (along with Themrise Khan) is being undertaken with support from IDRC and the MasterCard Foundation. Gordon Betcherman is a Professor in the School of International Development and Global Studies at the University of Ottawa, with a cross-appointment in the School of Public and International Affairs. He is also the Coordinator of the doctoral program in international development in the School of International Development and Global Studies. Dr. Betcherman’s research interests are in labor economics, demography, social policy, and the economics of development. His most recent publications are on the impacts of labor market institutions in developing countries. He was a co-author of the World Bank’s 2013 World Development Report on Jobs. He is a Research Fellow at the Institute for Labor Studies (IZA) in Germany. Dr. Betcherman joined the University of Ottawa in 2009 after 11 years at the World Bank. He holds a PhD from the University of California at Los Angeles.