Youth unemployment and underemployment is a critical challenge for most developing countries, but more pronounced in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where Uganda belongs. The rate of youth unemployment (12.4% (2022) in SSA is one of the highest in the world (World Bank, 2022). The youth in SSA are nearly three times more likely to be unemployed compared to adults (Fox and Thomas, 2016). These figures underscore the need for targeted policies and interventions to improve employment outcomes for the youth in this region, including Uganda. In addition, there are noticeable gender differentials in the formal wage sector, showing the disadvantages faced by young women, including graduate women graduates in finding a job (Quadlin et al., 2023). Young women labor force participation is low compared to men, leaving them outside of the labor market and thus, poor (OECD, 2019). There is also a notable challenge of the youth who are neither employed nor in education and training. For example, in Uganda, a total of 30% or 2.3 million youth between 15 and 24 are not in employment, education or training (NEET). However more young women (37%) than young men (21%) are NEET. Worst affected are young women between the ages of 20 and 24 of whom 50% are NEET (Uganda National Household Survey 2019/20). More so, COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the situation for youth in Uganda especially young women who were vulnerable to greater job losses, early marriage, and lacked the social protection that school normally provides (UN Women 2020). Uganda implemented one of the longest COVID-19 lockdowns in the world and schools were closed from March 2020 to the January 2022. There was a partial reopening of schools in September 2020, during which 10% of grade 10 girls and 18% of grade 12 girls did not resume school attendance – compared to 8% of grade 10 boys and 2% of grade 12 boys (Muhumuza 2021).
Project leader: Edward Bbaale
Project researchers: Susan Kavuma | Peter Babyenda | Claire Nakigudde | HENNERY SEBUKEERA | Aniitah Kyamugabwa | Kiconco Brenda
Scientific mentors: Ramos Mabugu
Policy outreach mentors: Stephen Wainaina
No journal publications.
| Title | Modified | Size | Comments | Recommendations | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridging Gaps in Youth-Employment Policies: A Pathway to Decent Youth Employment in Uganda | 2025-09-01 | 926.31kB | 0 | 0 |
| Title | Modified | Size | Comments | Recommendations | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Informing strategies to enhance the impact of youth employment policies and programs in Uganda | 2025-11-11 | 3.85MB | 0 | 0 |
No final reports.
No proposals.
Copyright © 2008-2025 PEP. All rights reserved.
If you have any question or if you need assistance, please contact: info@pep-net.org.