Saturday, February 8, 2014

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’.