- Tanzanian youth (aged 18-35) are better educated than older generations: Four in 10 have attained secondary (33%) or post-secondary (8%) education, more than twice the share among older cohorts (Figure 1).
- But youth are also more likely to be unemployed: One in four young citizens (26%) say they don’t have jobs and are actively looking for one, compared to 8%-15% of older respondents (Figure 2). o Aside from the country’s economic situation and scarcity of jobs, young people cite a lack of entrepreneurial skills or motivation (28%), an aversion to certain types of work (18%), and inadequate training (18%) as major barriers to youth employment (Figure 3). o Older generations are more likely to cite youth unwillingness to work in certain sectors, such as in agriculture (25%-27%).
- Two-thirds (66%) of Tanzanian youth would like to start their own businesses, while 19% would choose to work in government; only small proportions prefer the private sector (8%) or NGOs (3%) (Figure 4).
- Job creation would be young citizens’ top priority for additional government spending to help the youth (Figure 5).
Young Tanzanians report higher levels of education than their elders, yet many remain unemployed and yearn to start their own businesses, according to the latest Afrobarometer survey.
Two-thirds of 18- to 35-year-olds are eager to start their own enterprises. One-fourth report being unemployed and looking for work. When asked where the government should prioritise investment to support youth, job creation emerges as the top priority.
The survey also highlights perceptions of employment challenges. Youth are most likely to point to a lack of entrepreneurial skills or zeal as an obstacle to youth employment, while older generations are more likely to blame young people for their reluctance to accept difficult jobs.
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