Youth unemployment crisis

Calls for the president to declare a state of emergency on youth unemployment.
Mariselle Stofberg
Rivaldo Kavanga

Shocking statistics were brought to light in parliament in the last two weeks as it was discovered that the highest qualification of 229 259 people making up the labour force was a grade 10 certificate. Meanwhile, those with higher qualifications account for a mere 93 998 of the labour force.

These statistics suggest that many people occupying positions are unqualified while young graduates are finding it difficult to get jobs.

The statistics were announced by member of parliament Inna Hengari when she tabled a motion on youth unemployment, which is more than double the figure for adults. The current youth unemployment rate in Namibia stands at a staggering 46.10% and is expected to reach 50.3% according to Trading Economics Global Macro models and analysts’ expectations. Namibia has also been ranked as the country with the second highest unemployment rate on a list of 82 countries.

The motion is a plea for President Hage Geingob to declare a state of emergency on youth unemployment. The motion also asks the National Assembly to discuss and agree on long-term and short-term interventions to resolve the crisis.

The Popular Democratic Movement Youth League (PDMYL) has released a statement supporting the motion tabled by Hengari. The youth league said the government has not been honest in keeping an accurate record of the number of young people with jobs and without jobs.

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Namibian Sun 2025-01-11

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