Africa has one of the world’s fastest–growing working-age populations, but the continent faces a major challenge in providing enough jobs to accommodate its young people. The World Bank estimates that sub-Saharan Africa will add 620 million people to its labour force by 2050, making employment creation increasingly important to the continent’s economic future.
A World Bank report highlights a wider global employment gap, with approximately 1.2 billion young people in developing countries expected to reach working age over the next 10 to 15 years, against an estimated 400 million jobs. An Afrobarometer survey across 38 African countries also found that 55% of young people aged 18 to 35 have considered emigrating, with better employment opportunities among the leading reasons.
Experts say Africa must strengthen private businesses, improve working conditions and reform education systems to turn its growing population into an economic advantage. They also warn that poor foundational learning, including weaknesses in literacy and mathematics, could leave millions of young people without the skills needed to succeed in the modern workplace.
