World Youth Skills Day: Inadequate Training, Lack of Experience Cited as Top Barriers to Youth Employment in Africa

World Youth Skills Day: Inadequate Training, Lack of Experience Cited as Top Barriers to Youth Employment in Africa

Young Africans say inadequate training and a lack of required work experience are the biggest obstacles to getting jobs, according to the latest findings released by Afrobarometer on World Youth Skills Day.

The data, drawn from nationally representative surveys conducted in 38 African countries between 2024 and 2025, show that job creation remains the number one priority for youth when it comes to government investment. 


Youth Priorities: Jobs First

When asked what governments should spend more on to help young people, respondents ranked:

1. Job creation– 48% 

2. Education – 17% 

3. Jobs training– 14% 

4. Access to business loans– 13% 

5. Social services – 8% 

Beyond general economic conditions, young people and adults alike pointed to structural gaps in skills and training as the main barriers preventing youth from accessing employment.


Entrepreneurship Preferred Over Formal Jobs

The survey reveals a strong entrepreneurial spirit across the continent.  

On average, at least half of youth prefer to start their own business rather than work for others:

- Entrepreneurship: 50% of 18-25 year-olds, 54% of 26-35 year-olds

- Public sector: 25% 

- Private sector: 13% 

- NGOs: 6% 


This preference suggests many young Africans see self-employment as the most viable path in the current job market.


“Japa” Trend: More Than Half Consider Emigration

Economic pressure is also driving migration aspirations. More than half of young citizens, 55%, say they have given at least “a little bit” of thought to moving to another country to live.  

- 43% have considered it “somewhat” or “a lot”


The primary motivations are economic:

- Better job opportunities– 52% 

- Escaping economic hardship– 18% 

- Escaping poverty/destitution – 9% 

- Other economic factors– 6% 


What This Means

Afrobarometer’s findings highlight a dual challenge for African governments: expand job creation while also closing skills gaps through education and vocational training. With a majority of youth leaning toward entrepreneurship but also considering emigration, the report underscores the urgency of investing in youth-focused economic programs.

The full Afrobarometer report can be accessed via

http://afrobarometer.org .


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