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Rural youth and employment in Ethiopia

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  • Schmidt, Emily
  • Bekele, Firew

Abstract

This paper examines labor diversification in Ethiopia, focusing on youth, and explores current conditions that youth face in both the agricultural and non-farm labor markets. Using data from the Ethiopia Socioeconomic Survey (ESS) and the National Labor Force Survey (NLFS), we explore current trends in labor diversification, along with youth non-farm engagement in rural and small towns. We find that youth (ages 25 to 34 years) have a greater probability of working in non-farm enterprises compared to mature individuals (age 35-64). However, wage labor opportunities remain scant in rural Ethiopia. The majority of individuals working in non-farm employment are engaged in small-scale trade activities.

Suggested Citation

  • Schmidt, Emily & Bekele, Firew, 2016. "Rural youth and employment in Ethiopia," ESSP working papers 98, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    • Handle: RePEc:fpr:esspwp:98
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    Cited by:

    1. Abay, Kibrewossen & Hirvonen, Kalle & Minten, Bart, 2017. "Farm size, food security, and welfare: Descriptive evidence from the Ethiopian highlands," ESSP working papers 111, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    2. Berhane, Guush & Dereje, Mekdim & Minten, Bart & Tamru, Seneshaw, 2020. "The rapid-but from a low base-uptake of agricultural mechanization in Ethiopia: Patterns, implications, and challenges," IFPRI book chapters, in: An evolving paradigm of agricultural mechanization development: How much can Africa learn from Asia?, chapter 10, pages 329-375, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    3. Adedoyin Mistura Rufai & Adebayo Isaiah Ogunniyi & Kabir Kayode Salman & Mutiat Bukola Salawu & Abiodun Olusola Omotayo, 2021. "Rural Transformation and Labor Market Outcomes among Rural Youths in Nigeria," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-18, December.
    4. Kosec, Katrina & Ghebru, Hosaena & Holtemeyer, Brian & Mueller, Valerie & Schmidt, Emily, 2016. "The effect of land inheritance on youth employment and migration decisions: Evidence from rural Ethiopia," IFPRI discussion papers 1594, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    5. Boulanger, Pierre H & Dudu, Hasan & Ferrari, Emanuele & Hailu, Kidanemariam & Mainar, Alfredo & Mohammed, Mohammed Beshir & Yeshineh, Alekaw K, 2018. "Unemployment and Rural-Urban Migration in Ethiopia," Conference papers 332928, Purdue University, Center for Global Trade Analysis, Global Trade Analysis Project.
    6. Moreda, Tsegaye, 2023. "The social dynamics of access to land, livelihoods and the rural youth in an era of rapid rural change: Evidence from Ethiopia," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).

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    Keywords

    ETHIOPIA; EAST AFRICA; AFRICA SOUTH OF SAHARA; AFRICA; youth; employment; economic development; off farm employment;
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