Youth unemployment in South Africa

Andrew Khuluvhe, Statistics South Africa

South Africa has the third highest unemployment rate in the world for people between the ages of 15 to 24, according to the World Economic Forum. This study examine the association between education level and unemployment among youth in South Africa. Analysis of data from youth aged 15-35 years who participated in the South African’ 2014 Quarterly Labour Force Survey was done using logistic regression models and the multiple logistic regressions. Youth in higher education were less likely to be unemployed as compared to youth who have no or primary education [(Q1: OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.47 to 0.67); (Q2: OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.50 to 0.71); (Q3: OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.65) & (Q4: OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.57)]. Education level was found to be statistically significantly associated with youth unemployment. Higher educated young people in South Africa are less likely to be unemployed.