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Understanding the Drivers of the Youth Labour Market in Kenia

In: Disadvantaged Workers

Author

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  • Veronica Escudero

    (International Labour Office)

  • Elva Lopez Mourelo

    (International Labour Office)

Abstract

This article identifies the macro and microeconomic determinants of youth unemployment and inactivity rates. It finds that although the size of the youth cohort does have significant implications for the status of youth in the labour market, aggregate labour market conditions have a greater influence. The article also finds a large gap between the youth and the overall employment elasticities in the country. This implies that fostering economic growth and ensuring economic sustainability, important as these factors are, will not be sufficient to address youth challenges. Efforts will need to be focused on improving the youth employment content of growth. In this regard, results from the microeconometric analysis find that boosting tertiary school attendance and providing targeted vocational training to young people (particularly women) would be the most effective measures for improving youth employability in the country.

Suggested Citation

  • Veronica Escudero & Elva Lopez Mourelo, 2014. "Understanding the Drivers of the Youth Labour Market in Kenia," AIEL Series in Labour Economics, in: Dario Sciulli & Miguel Ángel Malo (ed.), Disadvantaged Workers, edition 1, chapter 10, pages 203-228, AIEL - Associazione Italiana Economisti del Lavoro.
    • Handle: RePEc:ail:chapts:07-10
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    3. Egessa Abel & Nnyanzi John Bosco & Muwanga James, 2021. "Determinants of youth unemployment in Uganda: The role of gender, education, residence, and age," IZA Journal of Labor Policy, Sciendo & Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit GmbH (IZA), vol. 11(1), pages 1-29, January.

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