The struggle for opportunity: Understanding youth unemployment in South Africa

Youth unemployment in South Africa is a national crisis. Thousands of young people that have either fallen out of  the school system, didn't get into university or other higher education institutions or graduated but can't find jobs, are roaming the streets, desperate and depressed and easy pickings for those with criminal intent.

With a stagnant economy youth unemployment is estimated at 58.5% in the third quarter of 2025, with around one in three young people classified as not in employment, education, or training (NEET).

In Tshwane, around 5,000 people recently lined up for just 20 vacancies. In Benoni and other towns, job seekers arrived before dawn, hoping to secure interviews for entry-level roles.

Even the South African Police Service, traditionally seen as a stable employer, received more than one million applications for its 2025/2026 Basic Police Development Learning Programme. Gauteng alone accounted for 267,031 applications, yet only a small fraction of applicants were selected.

These scenes reflect a labour market under severe strain, one that is failing to absorb young people at the scale required.

“Young people are doing what society expects of them completing school, gaining qualifications, applying for work but the opportunities simply aren’t there,” said Anton Visser, chief operating officer of the SA Business School.

“From newly qualified teachers to candidates applying for entry-level retail roles, far too many young South Africans are chasing too few jobs.”

Economist Ulrich Joubert said the youth unemployment crisis cannot be viewed purely as an education failure. Instead, it is deeply tied to South Africa’s prolonged period of low economic growth.

“When economic growth is weak, job creation slows,” Joubert explained.

“Employers under pressure tend to prefer experienced workers who can contribute immediately, rather than investing in young people who still need training. In a difficult business environment, employing someone without experience is often seen as a higher risk.”

This dynamic traps young people in a cycle that is difficult to escape. “Employing people is expensive,” Joubert said.

“Electricity is costly, but people are even more costly. In periods of slow growth, businesses prioritise workers who can add value quickly. Young people struggle because they lack experience but they cannot gain experience without being employed. It’s a vicious cycle.”

While economic growth is essential to reducing unemployment, Joubert stressed that education and training systems must also respond more directly to labour-market demand. “We need to ensure that graduates are trained in areas the economy actually needs,” he said, “not only in subjects chosen for academic interest.”

Each year, more than 300,000 learners who pass matric do not progress into post-school education or training, largely due to financial constraints. Fewer than half of South Africans aged 18 to 24 are enrolled in universities, TVET colleges, or other post-school institutions, despite many meeting entry requirements.

“Every year, capable young people are excluded not because they failed academically, but because they cannot afford to continue,” said TJ Malamule, chief executive officer of TTI Group. “When education is recognised as a human right, closing funding and access gaps becomes a national responsibility that requires practical delivery, not policy statements alone.”

This gap is also shaping how young people approach higher education. Research conducted by Dr Divya Singh and Diandri Ehlers of STADIO Higher Education shows that students are becoming increasingly pragmatic in their choices.

“Of the students surveyed, 92% defined the value of an institution primarily through an employability lens,” Singh said. “They want qualifications that lead to jobs.”

Ehlers added that students prioritised programmes aligned with technological advancement and real labour-market opportunities, rather than lifestyle factors such as sport, social life, or residence offerings. “There is a clear shift towards return on investment,” she said.

This pragmatism reflects a broader reality facing young job seekers: passing Grade 12 is no longer enough.

As technology, automation, and skills-based hiring reshape the workplace, practical and digital skills have become increasingly important. Entry-level roles in IT support, networking, data analysis, and cybersecurity are now often skills-based rather than degree-based.

“Completing high school is still an important milestone,” said Ndileka Stuurman, business development manager at Cisco Networking Academy.

“But it is no longer a guarantee of opportunity. Young people need practical pathways that translate into real jobs.”

In 2025 alone, the Cisco Networking Academy trained more than 157,000 learners across South Africa through schools, TVET colleges, universities, libraries, and community learning centres. Learners accessed courses in IT support, networking, AI infrastructure, cybersecurity, and Python, earning industry-recognised credentials while learning at their own pace.

“These pathways give young people momentum at the point where they need it most — after school,” Stuurman said. “They offer direct routes into employment or further learning.”

Employers are also placing growing emphasis on structured, work-integrated learning models such as learnerships. These programmes combine technical training with workplace experience, helping young people bridge the gap between education and employment.

“In 2026, learning and development is no longer a ‘nice-to-have’,” Visser said.

“It is a strategic lever to address youth unemployment, fix skills mismatches, support transformation, and build resilient organisations capable of competing in a volatile, technology-driven economy.”

Short, targeted skills programmes are increasingly used to support rapid reskilling. These programmes help young people build transversal skills such as communication, problem-solving, digital literacy, and adaptability, enabling movement across sectors ranging from banking and retail to healthcare, logistics, and manufacturing.

Even as artificial intelligence and automation reshape the workforce, Joubert emphasised that human skills remain critical.

“Critical thinking, resilience, adaptability, and collaboration are not being replaced,” he said. “The most effective training programmes combine technical and human capabilities so workers can adapt as the economy changes.”

Looking ahead, Joubert identified sectors with strong potential to absorb young workers if supported by the right policy environment. Tourism, construction, energy, and manufacturing could play a significant role in reducing youth unemployment.

“Tourism is an area where South Africa has a clear competitive advantage,” he said, pointing to destinations across the country. “But unlocking jobs requires functioning infrastructure roads, airports, rail, safety, and reliable services as well as skilled workers in hospitality and transport.”

He also highlighted the importance of technical trades. “The economy needs people who can build, repair, manufacture, and manage complex systems,” Joubert said. “Graduates in humanities are important, but we also need bricklayers, electricians, engineers, and technicians who can support growth.”

Labour regulation remains another factor shaping youth access to employment. While trade unions play a vital role in protecting existing workers, Joubert argued that rigid rules can limit opportunities for new entrants.

He called for greater flexibility, including temporary and entry-level employment pathways that allow young people to gain experience without placing excessive risk on employers.

Ultimately, addressing youth unemployment will require coordinated action across government, business, and education institutions. Skills programmes, bursaries, and learnerships play a vital role in converting academic achievement into tangible opportunity.

“Success in education should not be measured by exams alone,” Stuurman said. “Skills-based pathways are helping to turn education into opportunity and giving young people the momentum they need to build sustainable futures.”

tracy-lynn.ruiters@inl.co.za

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