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Labour Market Institutions, Innovation and Youth Employment in sub-Saharan Africa

Author

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  • Abidemi C. Adegboye

    (University of Lagos)

Abstract

In this study, the effects of labour market institutions (LMIs) and innovation on youth employment are examined using data for 27 sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries over the period 2007 and 2019. The feasible generalised least squares method is employed in the empirical analysis. The study finds that a combination of flexible (employment protection) and tight (wage adjustments) LMIs is the best means of improving youth employment among SSA countries. Moreover, while R&D (research & development) expenditure of firms (demand-side innovation) promotes youth employment in the region, more supply-side focussed innovations are found to directly limit youth employment. It is, however, found that LMIs temper the effects of innovation on youth employment. In particular, LMIs favour innovations that are supply side, but limit the positive effects of demand-side innovation on employment. Policy measures on reforming LMIs and promoting innovation for improving youth employment are provided in the study.

Suggested Citation

  • Abidemi C. Adegboye, 2025. "Labour Market Institutions, Innovation and Youth Employment in sub-Saharan Africa," The Indian Journal of Labour Economics, Springer;The Indian Society of Labour Economics (ISLE), vol. 68(1), pages 203-219, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ijlaec:v:68:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s41027-025-00556-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s41027-025-00556-2
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Employment protection; Innovation; Labour market flexibility; Wage bargaining; Wage adjustment; Youth employment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand
    • J53 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - Labor-Management Relations; Industrial Jurisprudence
    • K3 - Law and Economics - - Other Substantive Areas of Law
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D

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