Youth Unemployment: A ticking time-bomb

The Fourth National Human Development Report (NHDR) for Botswana on youth employment by UNDP is ringing a deafening warning bell.

In no equivocal way, the Report points out youth unemployment as one of the most pressing challenges facing Botswana today.

With nearly 38 percent of young people aged 15-35 unemployed and an even higher share not in education, employment, or training, the country is really teetering on the brink of a fully-blown crisis.

The Report warns that the future of Botswana’s economy, social cohesion, and human development hinges on its ability to address this crisis promptly and effectively. Failure for prompt response to address this growing crisis, certainly risks to invite unmitigable trouble.

The Report speaks loudly about the troubling paradox of Botswana being celebrated globally for its fiscal prudency, stable socio-economic and political environment economic management, and high human development indicators relative to its peers and troubling high youth unemployment and inequality.

That is, beneath all these international accolades, lies a troubling paradox: a youthful population brimming with potential but facing systemic barriers to meaningful employment.

The consequences of this mismatch are far-reaching, affecting not only individual livelihoods but also the nation’s economic diversification, inequality levels, and long-term sustainability.

The Report goes further to examines the disconnect between the skills young people acquire and those demanded by the labour market, the geographic disparities in employment opportunities, and the gendered dimensions of joblessness.

It also highlights the aspirations and perspectives of Botswana’s youth, who are the majority of the country’s population and whose voices are essential in shaping policies that affect their futures.

Human development is about expanding people’s freedoms and opportunities to lead lives they value. At its core, it is about enabling individuals to realise their full potential, whether through education, health, or decent work.

Employment is a cornerstone of this vision, providing not just income but also dignity, social inclusion, and a sense of purpose. For young people, the transition from education to employment is a critical juncture that shapes their lifelong trajectories.

When this transition fails, the repercussions extend beyond the individual to families, communities, and the broader economy.

Youth unemployment exacerbates these inequalities, particularly for young women, rural populations, and those with lower levels of education.

Addressing this issue is not just an economic necessity but a moral imperative to ensure no one is left behind. Conversely, significantly reducing youth unemployment holds the promise of markedly alleviating inequality in Botswana.

Along with being a socioeconomic problem, youth unemployment and the associated underemployment have emerged as a significant political and security concern across the African continent.

Youth unemployment poses a great threat to the nation’s stability and development, and if not checked on time, it may lead to disastrous consequences for the nation.

Desperation can drive the unemployed youths to live outside the law in order to survive and as a means of expressing dissatisfaction at the apparent neglect of their very existence. Crime as a result of unemployment has adverse effects on the economy.

It increases the cost of doing business for the private sector and providing public services. Resources that would have otherwise been invested in increasing output and funding education, health and other welfare programmes are diverted to crime control and prevention.

Experience is that, young people who are skilled, jobless, and alienated have been willing to pick up arms in exchange for modest sums of money along with the promise of recognition and ‘empowerment’ are more likely to be swayed and recruited into illicit activities, including drug trafficking.