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New Report release!
Sierra Leonean Co-researchers Share Views on Youth Labour Crisis
Sierra Leone's youth labour market is trapped in a paradox: a vibrant, entrepreneurial young population is largely confined to precarious, informal work such as petty trading, which acts as a "coping mechanism" rather than a sign of economic health. A major crisis of underemployment is masked by low official unemployment figures, driven by a failure to align education with market-relevant skills and pervasive structural barriers. All co-researchers emphasize that nepotism, favoritism, and political connections frequently override merit in hiring, leaving competent graduates disillusioned and pushing over 60% of youth into unemployment or underemployment, which risks deepening poverty and social instability. To leverage the youth's resilience, the country urgently needs reforms to institute transparent, merit-based recruitment, invest in practical skills training, and provide better support for young entrepreneurs.
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DSA Conference
Presentation on the DSA Conference in Bath, UK
Sierra Leone's youth labour market is trapped in a paradox: a vibrant, entrepreneurial young population is largely confined to precarious, informal work such as petty trading, which acts as a "coping mechanism" rather than a sign of economic health. A major crisis of underemployment is masked by low official unemployment figures, driven by a failure to align education with market-relevant skills and pervasive structural barriers. All co-researchers emphasize that nepotism, favoritism, and political connections frequently override merit in hiring, leaving competent graduates disillusioned and pushing over 60% of youth into unemployment or underemployment, which risks deepening poverty and social instability. To leverage the youth's resilience, the country urgently needs reforms to institute transparent, merit-based recruitment, invest in practical skills training, and provide better support for young entrepreneurs.
Read More