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Even though higher education is supposed to offer better professional opportunities and increased social mobility, in some countries, the unemployment rate of graduates is higher than the average. With about 230 million young people (aged 15 to 24) in 2019, Africa is one of the youngest continents in the world, making the unemployment of young graduates a major issue.

  • Summary:
  • Context and Justification:

Although higher education is expected to offer better professional opportunities and increased social mobility, in some countries, the unemployment rate of graduates is higher than the average. With about 230 million young people (aged 15 to 24) in 2019, Africa is one of the youngest continents in the world, making the unemployment of young graduates a major issue.

Despite an increase in enrollments and the democratization of higher education, young people often struggle to find employment at the end of their studies. Depending on their social background and the external support they receive, they may be more or less able to adopt a waiting strategy in terms of employment. Some are forced to accept poorly paid jobs or to turn to the informal labor market. Social inequalities play a significant role in these choices. In some countries, men and women are unequally affected by this phenomenon, thereby deepening gender disparities. By remaining unemployed or securing informal employment, these individuals prolong their youth in an unstable and precarious situation. Moreover, the gap between their aspirations and reality often leads to depression, frustration, and dissatisfaction, which can generate forms of unrest and political instability. This situation hampers economic growth due to a decrease in productivity and efficiency, a problem exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis affecting the youth labor market. This is why policymakers are taking this issue seriously. Youth employment is among the priorities of the African Union and the International Labour Organization.

Morocco and Ivory Coast are two countries profoundly affected by this phenomenon. Literacy and enrollment in higher education have significantly increased in recent decades, increasing the number of graduates. The structure of the labor market is very different in the two countries, which would make it possible to identify certain factors of inclusion or exclusion.

  • Objectives:

To highlight the challenges faced by educated young people in terms of employment and the potential social and political consequences of unemployment, and to propose feasible recommendations to promote their inclusion.

  • Main Methods:

This doctoral project uses a comparative and multidisciplinary method. These methods will be applied to both countries, Morocco, and Ivory Coast.

A thorough review of academic articles, reports, and policy documents will be carried out to gather existing knowledge and ideas on the inclusion and unemployment of educated young people in Africa, as well as on their consequences. A mapping of policies will be carried out, to compare the experiences and approaches of Morocco and Ivory Coast in combating the unemployment of young graduates. Quantitative and qualitative surveys will be conducted in both countries to obtain different viewpoints from stakeholders - young unemployed people, employers, and policymakers. Based on the results, recommendations will be developed to promote the inclusion of young graduates in the labor market and reduce unemployment.