ASSESSEMENT OF URBAN YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT AND ITS SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS IN KOREM TOWN, TIGRAY, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Ethiopia is one of the most populous country in Africa and in the world with the highest number of its young population as a result of the high fertility rate with the lowest human development index (HDI). The issue of unemployment in general and the youth unemployment in particular is then the most cross cutting issue at national level especially in urban areas which claims a collaborative, integrated and systematic alliance to rationalize it. The research study was conducted with an objective of assessing the driving factors of urban youth unemployment and its socioeconomic effects in the case of Korem town, southern Tigray, Ethiopia. Youth unemployment in Ethiopia, particularly in urban areas like Korem, has become a serious challenge due to rapid population growth, limited job opportunities, poor education quality and weak formal and informal sectors. This situation creates sever socio-economic and political impacts, making it an urgent issue that require effective solutions. The research employed a mixed-method approach, combining both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies and data were collected through questionnaire, interviewing and focusing group discussion methods. The primary data were collected from 283 simple randomly selected youth respondents. As far as the data analysis is concerned, the descriptive statistical analysis like simple frequencies, cross tabulation and inferential statistical analysis like chi-square and p-value tests were used to analyze the data. The logistic regression model revealed that corruption and maladministration, youth population pressure, lack of quality of education, lack of entrepreneurship and life skill training programs as well as lack of formal and informal sectors were found to be the most significant factors of unemployment. As the socio-economic effects of youths unemployment is concerned, socio-economic effects like loss of human capital, increase dependency ratio, rising migration, social evils, and psychological problems like inferiority complex, stress, depression, stigma and discrimination as well as political impacts like political unrest, uprising, and instability are the most common ones. Based on the findings of the study promoting youth enterprises development and self-employment, attracting domestic and foreign investors that can encourage and initiate job opportunities, collaborative hard working on the quality of education, building infrastructural and social facilities etc. were recommended as some of the best solutions to resolve the youths unemployment.