Never Too Young to Dream Big
This study explores the factors shaping the aspirations of youths in Ethiopia, Malawi, and Nigeria, specifically focusing on their academic goals; science, technology, engineering, or mathematics career interests; and migration intentions. The study draws on a robust dataset comprising 2,725 youth respondents aged 15–25 years, collected through high-frequency phone surveys conducted as part of the World Bank’s Living Standards Measurement Study. Exploring the aspirations of youths in Sub-Saharan Africa is crucial, particularly given that by 2050, half of the region’s population is expected to be younger than 25 years. The findings highlight significant gender and age disparities across youths, with female youths aged 15–18 showing higher educational aspirations than their male peers. However, female youths’ aspirations decline and become lower than those of male youths when they reach 19–25 years old. Conversely, male youths aged 15–18 and 19–25 report higher career and migration aspirations than their female peers. Additionally, educational background emerges as a pivotal factor influencing aspirations. The analysis shows that youths without formal education degrees are less inclined to aspire to higher educational, career aspirations, or migration. Moreover, family and community role models, along with individual attitudes, may contribute to shaping the aspirations of youths in these three countries. In conclusion, building on the findings, the paper formulates a comprehensive set of policy recommendations. These recommendations aim to align the skills and aspirations of youths with the prevailing labor market opportunities, ultimately working toward the reduction of youth unemployment and underemployment rates across these countries.
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Working Paper biblioteca |
| Language: | English en_US |
| Published: |
Washington, DC: World Bank
2024-06-26
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| Subjects: | YOUTH, ASPIRATIONS, EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, MIGRATION, COVID-19, SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA, QUALITY EDUCATION, SDG 4, GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING, SDG 3, GENDER EQUALITY, SDG 5, DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH, SDG 8, |
| Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/099526406242424699/IDU1d969a0b51a1a914b2319a1f108c52420ff8f https://hdl.handle.net/10986/41779 |
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| Summary: | This study explores the factors
shaping the aspirations of youths in Ethiopia, Malawi, and
Nigeria, specifically focusing on their academic goals;
science, technology, engineering, or mathematics career
interests; and migration intentions. The study draws on a
robust dataset comprising 2,725 youth respondents aged 15–25
years, collected through high-frequency phone surveys
conducted as part of the World Bank’s Living Standards
Measurement Study. Exploring the aspirations of youths in
Sub-Saharan Africa is crucial, particularly given that by
2050, half of the region’s population is expected to be
younger than 25 years. The findings highlight significant
gender and age disparities across youths, with female youths
aged 15–18 showing higher educational aspirations than their
male peers. However, female youths’ aspirations decline and
become lower than those of male youths when they reach 19–25
years old. Conversely, male youths aged 15–18 and 19–25
report higher career and migration aspirations than their
female peers. Additionally, educational background emerges
as a pivotal factor influencing aspirations. The analysis
shows that youths without formal education degrees are less
inclined to aspire to higher educational, career
aspirations, or migration. Moreover, family and community
role models, along with individual attitudes, may contribute
to shaping the aspirations of youths in these three
countries. In conclusion, building on the findings, the
paper formulates a comprehensive set of policy
recommendations. These recommendations aim to align the
skills and aspirations of youths with the prevailing labor
market opportunities, ultimately working toward the
reduction of youth unemployment and underemployment rates
across these countries. |
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