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The employment environment for youth in rural South Africa: A mixed-methods study

Author

Listed:
  • Andra Wilkinson
  • Audrey Pettifor
  • Molly Rosenberg
  • Carolyn T Halpern
  • Harsha Thirumurthy
  • Mark A Collinson
  • Kathleen Kahn

Abstract

South Africa has high youth unemployment. This article examines the predictors of youth employment in rural Agincourt, Mpumalanga Province. A survey of 187 out-of-school 18 to 24 year olds found that only 12% of women and 38% of men were currently employed. Men with skills/training were significantly more likely to report employment, mostly physical labour (adjusted odds ratio: 4.5; confidence interval: 1.3, 15.3). In-depth interviews with 14 of the youth revealed that women are perceived more suitable for formal employment, which is scarce, informing why women were more likely to pursue further education and yet less likely to be employed. Ten key informants from local organisations highlighted numerous local youth employment resources while, in contrast, all youth in the sample said no resources were available, highlighting a need for the organisations to extend their services into rural areas. Because these services are focused on entrepreneurship, programmes to increase financial literacy and formal employment opportunities are also needed.

Suggested Citation

  • Andra Wilkinson & Audrey Pettifor & Molly Rosenberg & Carolyn T Halpern & Harsha Thirumurthy & Mark A Collinson & Kathleen Kahn, 2017. "The employment environment for youth in rural South Africa: A mixed-methods study," Development Southern Africa, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 34(1), pages 17-32, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:deveza:v:34:y:2017:i:1:p:17-32
    DOI: 10.1080/0376835X.2016.1259986
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    Cited by:

    1. Van Rensburg, Nickey Janse & Telukdarie, Arnesh & Dhamija, Pavitra, 2019. "Society 4.0 applied in Africa: Advancing the social impact of technology," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 59(C).
    2. Rosenberg, Molly & Beidelman, Erika & Chen, Xiwei & Canning, David & Kobayashi, Lindsay & Kahn, Kathleen & Pettifor, Audrey & Kabudula, Chodziwadziwa Whiteson, 2023. "The impact of a randomized cash transfer intervention on mortality of adult household members in rural South Africa, 2011–2022," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 324(C).
    3. Wendy Geza & Mjabuliseni Simon Cloapas Ngidi & Rob Slotow & Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi, 2022. "The Dynamics of Youth Employment and Empowerment in Agriculture and Rural Development in South Africa: A Scoping Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-20, April.
    4. Kobayashi, Lindsay C. & Glymour, M. Maria & Kahn, Kathleen & Payne, Collin F. & Wagner, Ryan G. & Montana, Livia & Mateen, Farrah J. & Tollman, Stephen M. & Berkman, Lisa F., 2017. "Childhood deprivation and later-life cognitive function in a population-based study of older rural South Africans," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 190(C), pages 20-28.

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