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Unemployment in Africa

Author

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  • William Baah-Boateng

Abstract

Purpose - – The purpose of this paper is to establish the concept of unemployment defined by the International Labour Organisation appears to be too narrow within the context of many African countries including Ghana. This phenomenon tends to put many jobless adults into the discouraged worker category thereby giving a misleading picture about the unemployment situation in these countries. In addition, the structure of the labour market in many African countries is such that informality takes the face of unemployment. Design/methodology/approach - – The paper uses a scatter plot and simple correlation analysis to show a trade-off between informality or vulnerability of employment and unemployment rates in Africa. The paper also adopts descriptive approach based on simple diagrams to show the extent of discouraged worker effect on the phenomenon of unemployment. Findings - – The paper finds a significantly negative correlation between unemployment and informality in Africa. Beside the high level of informality that hides the face of unemployment, the exclusion of many discouraged workers in estimating unemployment underrates the seriousness of the phenomenon. The paper therefore recommends the adoption of a broader definition of unemployment that accounts for discourage workers and underemployment to show the true picture of labour market challenge in Africa. Additionally, targeted programmes to support and transform the informal sector is required to make it a more attractive means of employment rather than being seen as a refuge point for the unemployed in Africa. Originality/value - – The observation that unemployment should be looked at from a broader perspective that accounts for discourage workers to inform policy design forms a base of the paper’s contribution to the body of literature. In addition, the high level of informality that hides the problem of unemployment shows that labour market challenges should not be restricted to unemployment but low quality of employment that characterises informality as well.

Suggested Citation

  • William Baah-Boateng, 2015. "Unemployment in Africa," International Journal of Manpower, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 36(5), pages 650-667, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:eme:ijmpps:v:36:y:2015:i:5:p:650-667
    DOI: 10.1108/IJM-02-2014-0047
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. William Baah-Boateng, 2016. "The youth unemployment challenge in Africa: What are the drivers?," The Economic and Labour Relations Review, , vol. 27(4), pages 413-431, December.
    2. Ali Fakih & Nathir Haimoun & Mohamad Kassem, 2020. "Youth Unemployment, Gender and Institutions During Transition: Evidence from the Arab Spring," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 150(1), pages 311-336, July.
    3. Simplice A. Asongu & Vanessa S. Tchamyou, 2015. "The Impact of Entrepreneurship on Knowledge Economy in Africa," Research Africa Network Working Papers 15/044, Research Africa Network (RAN).
    4. Abdullah Promise Opute & Kalu Ibe Kalu & Ogechi Adeola & Chux Gervase Iwu, 2021. "Steering Sustainable Economic Growth: Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Approach," Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, vol. 7(2), pages 216-245, July.
    5. Ghada Barsoum & Ahmed Rashad, 2018. "Does Private Higher Education Improve Employment Outcomes? Comparative Analysis from Egypt," Public Organization Review, Springer, vol. 18(1), pages 125-142, March.
    6. Nicoli Nattrass & Jeremy Seekings, 2018. "Employment and labour productivity in high unemployment countries," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 36(S2), pages 769-785, September.
    7. William Baah-Boateng & Eric Twum, 2019. "Economic Complexity and Employment for Women and Youth: The Case of Ghana," Working Papers idrcdprughana, University of Cape Town, Development Policy Research Unit.

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