Investing in Zimbabwe’s Youth: Generation Unlimited
TWO OUT OF THREE ZIMBABWEAN ARE UNDER 25. ADOLESCENTS AND YOUTH IN ZIMBABWE SEEK SKILLS, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, EMPLOYABILITY AND SOCIAL IMPACT
Highlights
Zimbabwe is a Lower-Middle Income country with a gross national income per capita of $USD1,400
(World Bank, 2021). According to Zimbabwe’s census, the country has a young population, with approximately 61 per cent under 25. Zimbabwe faces a serious unemployment problem and underemployment, especially among its youth, whose unemployment rate is 35 per cent. Recent research has revealed the persistent barriers female adolescents and youth face in transitioning from education to the workforce. Adolescent girls are under-represented in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) subjects, which impacts their potential for training in skills for the 21st century. In addition, female adolescents are vulnerable to child marriage and adolescent pregnancies, resulting in interrupted schooling, social isolation and limited job and training opportunities. Unsurprisingly, the rates of female young people Not Engaged in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET) are higher than their male counterparts.
