YOUTH AND UNEMPLOYMENT
Youths in Tanzania face number of
socio-economic issues today. These include unemployment, extreme poverty,
HIV/AIDS and other diseases, and drug abuse.
Unemployment is regarded as the core
problem because it attributes to the other social economic issues that
undermine the stability of society, increasing drug trafficking and abuse
rates, high HIV/AIDS/STD, Unplanned and early pregnancies, abortions and
prostitution.
According to the national bureau of
statistics, 2011 estimates unemployed persons for year 2011 were 2, 368,672 persons which is equivalent
to 10.7% of the labour force population. Youth constitute 60% of all people who
are unemployed.
Although the formal sector
absorbs the majority of the labour force, formal sector employment is growing
at a rate of 2.4% annually which is below the growth rate of the labour force
of 3% annually
Promoting new initiatives and champion
employment opportunities for youth is critical component in the pass towards
wealthier economies, fairer societies and stronger democracies.
Without employment income, young people
cannot achieve their social and economic
needs, cannot pay off the students loans debt, cannot help sustain social security,
education and Medicare systems, or contribute to their own retirement savings
that rely on early-year contributions to accrue returns.
It is through employment youth can
realize their aspirations, improve their living conditions and fulfill their
responsibilities, not only as productive agents but also as citizens. In turn,
employment for young people makes economies stronger.
Employment income will help to improve
their living conditions, reduces cost related to the social problems such as
drug abuse, abortion, prostitution and crime and thus fulfill their
responsibilities as productive agents and citizens in particular.
Social exclusion, stress and
employment worries can cause mental health problems to young people, such as
depression.
Unemployed youth are readily
available for anti-social criminal activities that undermine the stability of
society increasing drug trafficking and abuse rates, high HIV/AIDS/STD, Unplanned
and early pregnancies, abortions, Prostitution etc.
Youth unemployment is a hazard in
Tanzania and constitutes a real danger and a threat to Tanzania’s long standing
peace and security. Online connections among unemployed young people have been
credited as a major driving force behind the Arab uprising in Egypt, Tunisia
lead to overthrowing of the governments in place.
Lastly but not least an unstable
society increases the risk of the market. This scares investors. Unemployed and
underemployed youth are more exposed to conflicts and illegal activities-many
of them may fall prey to armed and rebel conflicts’.
