Poll Results April 2024
Youth Unemployment
Welcome to a short survey of four questions about youth unemployment. The questions are in a yes/no format, making them easy to answer. However, there is room for you to elaborate on your answers if you have the time, and we are grateful if you do.
Question 1
Do you think that youth unemployment is a big social problem?
100% Yes
0% No
Why? / Why not?
[Yes.] Youth unemployment is a significant social issue because it leads to financial instability, increases the risk of poverty, and hampers personal and professional development. It also contributes to social unrest, higher crime rates, and lost economic potential, affecting both individuals and society at large.
[Yes.] Not only does it cause structural unemployment but it is a consequence of the governments fear of cutting spending so as to have solvency for pensioners thereby allowing them to retire and freeing up spots for young people to enter the work force.
[Yes.] The youth will be compelled and influenced into other ways of making money illegally since they can’t find a job and some might even be discouraged to further their studies in getting an education
[Yes.] When it appears that jobs are less and less accessible, no matter if you study and have a degree or don’t, it is very demotivating. You feel like you have no purpose and are unwanted, which leads to immense mental health problems. One is constantly reminded by everyone around you that you are, in fact, a failure and not that the circumstances have led to this. This leads to a self-fulfilling prophecy where one decides to become what everyone says you are, which in turn leads to high rates of crime. There is also this looming thought that even entry-level jobs require so much experience and study that if they end up not taking you after you put in all that effort, it isn’t worth it. One is disillusioned with the system and would not want to contribute to community and society because it has never catered to you.
[Yes.] Unemployment hinders economic growth, as fewer people contribute to the workforce, and consumer spending decreases.
[Yes.] Youth unemployment is a significant social issue because it leads to financial instability, increases the risk of poverty, and hampers personal and professional development. It also contributes to social unrest, higher crime rates, and lost economic potential, affecting both individuals and society at large.
[Yes.] Youth unemployment is a problem cause it creates many issues in social life, such as: not being able to live independently, feeling useless, not finding a purpose, and psychological problems.
[Yes.] 1- It generates a lack of trust in the system 2- It does not allow the youth to have independence 3- It does not allow the youth to pursue a career after their studies 4- Creates inequality 5- Might create alienation.
[Yes.] Youth unemployment is a social problem because it heightens the already very real class divisions many countries face. Further, the youth of a country is the next generation and unemployment in this area can be very dangerous as it might lead to drops in many other economic areas.
[Yes.] It is contributing to many social ills such as increased crime and unethical behaviour as young people seek many a living.
[Yes.] The youth will be compelled and influenced into other ways of making money illegally, since they can’t find a job, and some might even be discouraged from furthering their studies in order to get an education.
[Yes.] Not only does it cause structural unemployment, but it is a consequence of the government’s fear of cutting spending to have solvency for pensioners, thereby allowing them to retire and freeing up spots for young people to enter the workforce.
[Yes.] South Africa has a 45,5% youth unemployment rate (aged 15-34 years) while the national average is 32,9%.
[Yes.] High youth unemployment can lead to a loss of potential economic productivity and increased dependence on social welfare systems. Young people without jobs are not contributing to the economy, which can slow down economic growth.
[Yes.] Unemployment among young people can lead to social instability and increased crime rates. Without stable employment, young people might turn to illegal activities to support themselves. An example of this can be seen in the streets of Kampala, Uganda, where there is a lot of theft; most of these thieves are in their youthful years between 17-30 years. All these are indicators of unemployment.
[Yes.] Unemployment puts additional pressure on social services, such as healthcare, housing support, and food assistance programs.
[Yes.] Unemployment could represent a critical social problem: firstly, the new generation of workers faces great difficulties in entering the labour market because of the difficulties in replacing the old ones, impeding the introduction of changes in the ethics of the labour market. Secondly, because of the current high cost of houses and basic needs, it could become a serious problem of transmission and improvement of individual as well as collective welfare. Finally, unemployment does not allow the gradual construction of their own economic independence from your parents.
[Yes.] Youth unemployment is a pressing social problem because this creates a gap in the economy. The country’s population is largely made up of young people. Thus, when the youth are unemployed, it negatively affects the economy as fewer citizens have the ability to contribute to the development and provision of services by the government. This affects various socio-economic factors such as access to quality education, electricity, water and sanitation, housing and healthcare.
[Yes.] Unemployment affects many facets of one’s life. Not only does it have a productive sector, but it also affects the social reproductive sphere. Many of the youth resort to other forms of precarious work to survive. This includes selling themselves (mostly females), joining gangs and dealing with illegal substances. This worsens the poverty-stricken neighbourhoods, perpetuating a legacy of unemployment that is worsened by violence.
[Yes.] Many youths also have low education, which affects how they function daily. This means that some have dropped out or passed really badly. With such against you, it is impossible for the youth to make much of their lives.
[Yes.] Youth Unemployment is a big social problem in South Africa for a multitude of reasons. Firstly, the social stigma that unemployed youth in South Africa face is quite high. This is due to most South Africans being quite social and community-based individuals, which leads to the fact that people find out about that specific individual being unemployed, and it results in that specific individual’s esteem being negatively affected, and they lose motivation for going out and continuing with the search for a job. Secondly, the high unemployment rate tells the youth that going to further their studies is not really helpful due to the fact that the chances of them getting a job are quite slim. Thirdly, the financial pressure it places on the country due to there being an increased number of dependents on the financial aid schemes that the country offers, which means every year, more money needs to be placed in these various schemes.
[Yes.] It creates economic and social exclusion. Meaning that we are not able to become contributors to building a just and equitable society
Question 2
Do you have specific desires when looking for a job?
94% Yes
6% No
Why? / Why not?
[Yes.] When am looking for a job I consider the following factors: impact and purpose: I look for jobs where I can make a positive impact and contribute to a larger purpose or cause.
At this point no. Mainly because of the nature of the market, it seems quite difficult and cumbersome to break into my respective field as it requires some sort of experience.
[Yes.] The most important factor for me is having the people I work with be enjoyable to be around. I prefer when there is a lot of trust involved between the employer and you otherwise you feel like constantly looking over your shoulder. I also tend toward jobs that are very flexible in the times that I have to work.
Yes.”When looking for a job, I desire meaningful work, opportunities for growth, a supportive work environment, competitive compensation, work-life balance, and alignment with personal values and interests. These factors contribute to job satisfaction and long-term career fulfillment.
Yes. I look for a job that would offer me financially and mental stability
Yes. Flexible work time, work-life balance, reasonable salary, being able to work independently and being a decision maker
Yes. A decent job where you get to grow in the company
Yes. The cost of living has reached such a point that any salary allows you to barely scrape by. The real value of salaries has consistently decreased while the numerical value has increased given a false perception that the fault lies with workers
Yes. Culture, pay & advancement.
Yes. When am looking for a job I consider the following factors;-Impact and Purpose: I look for jobs where I can make a positive impact and contribute to a larger purpose or cause.-Salary and Benefits: Competitive pay and benefits, such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off, are important for financial stability and overall well-being.-Work-Life Balance: A job that allows for a healthy balance between work and personal life, including flexible working hours and remote work options. This is very important,I have seen people suffering because their work doesn’t give them time to relax.-Finding a job that is fulfilling and aligns with personal interests and passions can significantly impact overall job satisfaction, this is also one of the factor I consider.-Location: The job’s location, including the commute time and the possibility of relocation, can also influence my job decisions
Yes. 1- Tasks that are according to my wishes and my competences 2- Salary 3- Holidays 4- Remote work possibilities 5- Flexibility in schedule 6- Good team environment.
Yes. A clear contract stating all obligations and benefits. To work for a company that stands by their morales and values and upholds constructive and positive beliefs they are actively using for change
Yes. Mostly: work-from-home days; good amount of holidays; fair pay.
Yes. The most important factor for me is having the people I work with be enjoyable to be around. I prefer when there is a lot of trust involved between the employer and you otherwise you feel like constantly looking over your shoulder. I also tend toward jobs that are very flexible in the times that I have to work.
Yes. Engaging in work that has purpose. Align with values and makes a positive impact. Competitive compensation. Archieving balance between work and personal life. Opportunity for growth
Yes. Flexible working hours that allow a good and proper balance between work and friends and hobbies, the possibility of having a good high starting salary and the possibility of having a promotion in a few years and the provision of a costant training and education.
Yes. When looking for a job, I seek for one that offers me the opportunity to develop my skills and inspires my personal growth. I desire a job that encourages leadership as well as incorporates the principle of the service of others through giving back to the community around me.
Yes. I hope to work in an inclusive and diverse workplace. Not only do they need to show it surface level, but the company should also be intentional about their approach to fostering a healthy work environment where everyone is seen and appreciated. I would like work in an environment that embraces the technologically advancing world. this created a workspace that promotes flexibility and work-life balance. This ensures that even though employees are working, they have a more positive outlook towards their job as they have more time to grow their social life, without sacrificing their careers. This is the type of workspace I aspire to belong to.
Yes. For me personally, it is not a desire but rather a worry that job security is confirmed. This is due to the retrenchement rate being very high in majority of the sectors in South Africa.
No. At this point no Mainly because of the nature of the market, it seems quite difficult and cumbersome to break into my respective field as it requires some sort of experience.
Question 3
Have you ever been unable to pursue a job or career because you lacked the necessary skills or resources?
53% Yes
47% No
What were you lacking?
[Yes.] We had problems with internet connectivity for a while and I could not continue giving classes online. We live on a farm and I also did not have transport to find work in town.
[Yes.] Education and Training: some jobs wanted specific level of education and training which I lacked by that time.
[Yes.] This is because I have never held any form of employment in my life. It becomes difficult when applying for work because the lack of experience, thus no training, affects your chances. It also fosters the imposter syndrome in an individual, making one doubt their abilities.
Yes. Experiences.
Yes. Most jobs are currently requiring various years of experience in a sector, unfortunately until the structural unemployment is solved young people will rarely be able to live up to such employment conditions
Yes. Professional training.
Yes. “Work Experience: Many jobs require prior experience, so this made it challenging for me to get them. Some jobs require experiences up to 10 years. Education and Training: some jobs wanted specific level of education and training which I lacked by that time.”
No. I am still studying at current moment so I have yet to have started job seeking
Yes. We had problems with internet connectivity for a while and I could not continue giving classes online. We live on a farm and I also did not have transport to find work in town.
Yes. Housing and transport
No. I have been privileged to have access to all the necessary resources such as training, information, transport, housing and internet connection. However, I do acknowledge that this is not the reality of all youth in my community. Thus, sharing certain resources I have access to has been a great act of service.
Yes. Traning. This is because I have never held any form of employment in my life. It becomes difficult when applying for work because the lack of experience, thus no training, affects your chances. It also fosters the imposter syndrome in an individual, making one doubt their abilities.
Yes. I lacked the specific training which I was unable to acquire due to the training being offered to the older coherts.
No. The right guidance more to the right connections.
Question 4
If you have experienced unemployment yourself, did it affect you negatively or positively?
86% Yes
14% No
How?
[Yes, negatively] I spent more that 3 years without getting a job after I graduated. I was in a very bad state of mind which affected my health.
[Yes, negatively.] Being unemployed means that I rely on my parents for everything. This limits me because I do not have form of financial freedom. This limits my objectives and what I would like to do because of not having a steady income.
Youth unemployment in capitalist and consumerist societies leads to anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. The pressure to achieve material success exacerbates these effects, creating a sense of failure and social alienation among unemployed youth, further hindering their mental health and overall well-being.
Yes. It affected me negatively where you start feeling useless and hopeless
Yes. Surprisingly the social benefit structure in my country benefits unemployment, therefore leading to young people preferring to live off social benefits than to work to barely make more money. The social benefit structure clearly disincentivizes work
Yes. It inhibits access to opportunities, especially in South Africa where entry level jobs that can be taught demand experience and even degrees.
Yes. Financial stress, this can result about difficulty in meeting basic needs such as housing, food, and healthcare.
Unemployment at one point made me to do some self evaluation and reflection.
Negatively. Couldnt provide for basic needs for self
Negatively. Firstly, I would feel ashamed of myself for not being able to offer an entry-level job and start my own business. Secondly, frustration, because I would have to spend another significant amount of time sending my application and creating an appropriate and eleigible AI candidate to be considered as one of the most pontential candidates for the position.
Negatively. I am currently a full-time medical student. Thus, I have not been able to seek employment opportunities. However, I can imagine that unemployment could affect one negatively as they would not have financial freedom as a young person. The state of the political landscape and economy has made living in South Africa quite expensive, where basic necessities and needs are not affordable commodities. Thus, it would affect the ability to live a life of leisure. This could potentially lead to mental health illness such as depression, anxiety and suicide.
Negatively. Being unemployed means that I rely on my parents for everything. This limits me because I do not have form of financial freedom. This limits my objectives and what i would like to do because of not having a steady income.
Negatively. Unemployment has definitely affected me negatively. Knowing that with being unemployed in South Africa means that money is limited within the household. This affects South African households in various negative ways
Negatively and positively. Both negative and positive, mainly being positive due to the nature of my unemployment. I found myself becoming an entrepreneur. I developed a knack for business as well as created business deals through the art of negotiating.
Question 5
Would you ever refuse a job because it does not match your life expectations or values?
65% Yes
35% No
Why? / Why not?
[Yes.] If a job conflicts with my ethical or moral values, accepting it can lead to significant internal conflict and dissatisfaction. I always want a job where I can find satisfaction and work-life balance.
[Yes.] As we are spending at work quite much time, it must be consistent with our values and expectations so feel comfortable there.
No. I would not reject work because it did not align with my expectations. Rather, I would use it as an opportunity to learn a new skill and use my experience to advance my dreams. This way, I am making myself an employable individual who has acquired knowledge that seemed futile at first.
Yes. I declined the job offer as it required excessive overtime, compromising my work-life balance, and involved projects conflicting with my environmental values. I seek a role that aligns with my commitment to sustainability and allows time for personal growth and family.
Yes. As we are spending at work quite much time, it must be consistent with our values and expectations so feel comfortable there.
Yes. If it goes against my moral values or moral beliefs yes I would never want to comprise In who I am
No. Though I would refuse some jobs, most young people would not be faced with this option as these jobs are not offered to young people
Yes. I value an environment where I can draw external inspiration to incubate internal aspirations.
Yes. “Personal Values: If a job conflicts with my ethical or moral values, accepting it can lead to significant internal conflict and dissatisfaction.
I always want a job where I can find satisfaction and work-life balance.”
Yes. Because having a job should allow us to feel confortable in our lives. If I have two Masters for example, I’m not going to accept less than a certain amount
Yes. A job is a very crucial element of your adult life . Unhappiness in my opinion would most certainly lead to decrease in productivity and creativity resulting in me not making a difference. Therefore I would refuse a job that would lead to this being the outcome
Yes. I would not feel confortable.
Yes. I could keep the job for a couple of months but after that my performance significantly decreases. My mental-health depreciates mostly because I do not see then a reason for living if I am going to be miserable. Even if its high paying, if there was not flexibility and opportunity and good people I would probably leave it.
Yes. As stated below it has to have a purpose and aligning with what ineed to archive at the same time allowing me to grow.
Yes. I prefer remaining in lines with my principles and values
No. Unemployment is on an all time rise within South Africa thus, any job opportunity is to be accepted and appreciated. The job not matching my life expectations or values could offer me the opportunity to grow differently as an individual within an unexpected space.
No. I would not reject work because it did not align with my expectations. Rather, I would use it as an opportunity to learn a new skill and use my experience to advance my dreams. This way, I am making myself an employable individual who has acquired knowledge that seemed futile at first.
No. Job Security
No. It is important to understand that in life positions change but your calling does not. Hence the emphasis that What is meant for me when the time is right and the environment is right will find me.
Question 6
Do you think that there are overall causes for global youth unemployment?
100% Yes
0% No
Why? / Why not?
The lack of job opportunities offered by the government, corporates and private entities. I think that if we would shift the focus on entrepreneurship among the youth, more job opportunities can be created whilst solving societal problems such as meeting certain needs and wants of the community through providing a good or service through that particular business. I also think that the rise and continuous development of the 4th industrial revolution in low and middle income countries such as South Africa contributes to youth unemployment. Various positions such as bank tellers, cashiers and other services are being replaced by artificial intelligence agents. This negatively affects employment opportunities and leaves many young people unemployed.
Yes. Global youth unemployment is caused by economic instability, lack of job opportunities, inadequate education and skills mismatch, automation, and demographic pressures. Specialization in fields with limited demand exacerbates the issue, as does the gap between education systems and market needs.
Yes. Lack of cooperation between governments and private sectors or interties on job creation
Yes. Most employers don’t want to give a chance to the youth because they lack experience or they feel the young person will have incompetent skills
Yes. Since the abandonment of the gold standard the real value of money has consistently decreased and inflation caused by government action has become the highest tax suffered by all citizens, this combined with a social structure that creates dependency on social benefits leads to a sever structural unemployment.
Yes. Underdevelopment, nepotism and corruption.
Yes. Quality of Education: In many regions example in my country Uganda, the education system does not adequately prepare students for the demands of the modern job market, leading to a skills gap. Relevance of Curriculum: Educational curricula often lag behind technological and industrial advancements, resulting in graduates who are not equipped with the skills employers need. Lack of Work Experience: Entry-Level Barriers; Many employers require work experience even for entry-level positions, creating a hard situation where young people cannot gain experience without already having a job. Demographic Pressure: In some regions, high population growth rates mean there are more young people entering the job market than there are jobs available, leading to high competition and unemployment. Technological Advancements: The increasing use of automation and artificial intelligence can displace jobs, particularly those that are routine and low-skill, which are often entry-level positions for young people. Above are some of the many I can provide now.
Yes. 1- Recruitment is not made for youth. 2- There are a lot of traineeships that dont lead to positions
Yes. A lack of education , children with learning disabilities and disabilities being let down to an extent by the education systems , corruption and nepotism
Yes. In Spain, my feeling (my amateur opinion I should say) is that there is a poorly designed transition into the labour market and, more importantly, a poor design of degrees that does not provide students with adequate, actually-useful skills.
Yes. Poor growth, minimum wage jobs with little protection or benefits, high entry-levels, not having enough funds to begin with to finance a job (clothing, transport etc.)
Yes. Economic instability
Yes. the mismatch between the skills required in the job market and the skills learnt at the university, the fact of remaiining trained with the new skills, the lack of increasing of salary in respect ti the high costs of living, the high competition in the job market
Yes. The lack of job opportunities offered by the government, corporates and private entities. I think that if we would shift the focus on entrepreneurship among the youth, more job opportunities can be created whilst solving societal problems such as meeting certain needs and wants of the community through providing a good or service through that particular business. I also think that the rise and continuous development of the 4th industrial revolution in low and middle income countries such as South Africa contributes to youth unemployment. Various positions such as bank tellers, cashiers and other services are being replaced by artificial intelligence agents. This negatively affects employment opportunities and leaves many young people unemployed.
Yes. “The capitalist system that has many people working in the informal sector. As it is driven by profit, many sell their labour to earn a wage. However, not being paid enough, they can hardly sustain themselves. This creates extreme poverty and inequality, which is exacerbated by the capitalist economy. This leaves people in poor conditions that no matter what they do, they will remain poor. Colonial legacy in Africa is still prevalent. Many children do not go to school due to their impoverished conditions. This further segregates them from the world of ‘formal’ employment, adding to the number of unemployed youths. Many also engage in unpaid labour and petty commodity production to make ends meet. However, the unemployment is still high. “
Yes. I think that the most of the conventional high paying jobs are quite highly saturated with older professionals which deter young people.
Yes. Well, there’s a global world Job Freeze, as well as The 4IR (4th Industrial Revolution) is here.