Feature: Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders: Tackling Youth Unemployment in Sri Lanka

By Isiri Senara Galagama

A rising problem for Sri Lanka, a country known for its magnificent scenery and rich cultural legacy, is young unemployment. The future stability and prosperity of the nation are greatly affected by this problem. To provide practical solutions and enable Sri Lanka's youth to become tomorrow's leaders, it is imperative to comprehend the causes and effects of youth unemployment.

With more than 20 per cent of the population between the ages of 15 and 34, Sri Lanka has a youthful population. However, a worrying trend of youth unemployment overshadows this demographic dividend. The World Bank estimates that in 2023, Sri Lanka's young unemployment rate was an astounding 23.4 per cent. This means that about 40 per cent of young Sri Lankans are actively looking for a job yet are having trouble finding it. The fact that this percentage is far more than the norm for the country shows how unfairly burdened young people are.

An even more concerning demographic dispersion within the youth unemployment rate is seen upon deeper inspection. There is a notable gender discrepancy in young unemployment, with female youth unemployment about twice as high as male youth unemployment. This discrepancy can be linked to things like cultural norms, females' restricted access to vocational training, and working moms' lack of childcare choices.

An important factor is also educational background. Despite the common belief that a college degree would ensure work, a sizable portion of young people without jobs are in fact university graduates. This shows that the needs of the labour market and the educational system do not align with talents. Graduates might not have the industry-specific knowledge or practical skills that companies look for.

Sri Lanka's young unemployment problem has many different, intricate causes. Here is a deeper look at a few significant contributing aspects:

• Skills Mismatch: It's possible that young people aren't receiving the proper training in the skills needed for the changing labour market. Graduates who prioritise academic knowledge above actual practice may find themselves unprepared for the workforce.

• Geographic Disparities: Not all parts of Sri Lanka have equal access to employment possibilities. When compared to rural areas, urban areas frequently provide more jobs. This may cause young people to migrate creating a talent vacuum in rural regions.

• Gender Differences: Women's greater unemployment rates can be attributed to societal standards that prevent them from entering the workforce, as well as reduced access to childcare and training.

• Educational Barriers: Youth from disadvantaged families may face challenges due to the high cost of schooling, restricted access to high-quality educational institutions, and a lack of focused career counselling.

• Limited Support for Young Entrepreneurs: Young people who aspire to become entrepreneurs may have trouble finding capital, mentoring, and training, which makes it more difficult for them to launch and expand their own companies.

• Macroeconomic Factors: Youth unemployment may be made worse by slow economic development, a dearth of foreign investment, and a reliance on conventional sectors.

High rates of young unemployment have wide-ranging effects on people, communities, and the country as a whole. Individuals experiencing unemployment may have financial difficulties, a decline in self-worth, and social marginalisation. Major life events like marriage and homeownership may also be postponed by it.

High rates of young unemployment can have a negative impact on communities by raising crime rates, causing social discontent, and decreasing civic involvement. Additionally, it may lead to a brain drain and a sense of despondency as talented young people go abroad in search of better possibilities.

Economically speaking, young unemployment represents a loss of potential creativity and output. Long-term economic development is constrained, and the social security system is burdened. Underutilised talent makes Sri Lanka less competitive in the world market.

Fighting young unemployment needs a thorough and multifaceted strategy. Here are a few important possible fixes:

• Modernising Vocational Education: Training in practical skills that meets industrial expectations should be given top priority in educational changes. Collaboration between universities, the commercial sector, and vocational institutions may be necessary for this.

• Encouraging Entrepreneurship: Establish initiatives that give youth the know-how, tools, and capital need to launch their own companies. This may entail having access to capital, mentorship, and incubator space.

• Improving Career Guidance: Academic institutions have to offer extensive career counselling services that assist students in discovering their interests and talents and investigating career options that fit their interests.

• Bridging the Digital Divide: Give young people the digital literacy skills they need to succeed in the changing labour market. Affordably accessible technologies and focused training initiatives might help accomplish this.

• Gender Equality Initiatives: Encourage equitable access to childcare, education, and vocational training in order to address gender-based impediments. Women may feel more empowered to engage fully in the workforce as a result.

The young of Sri Lanka are more than just a population; they are the designers of the future of their country. Their unrealised potential and limitless energy are the key to opening doors to a future full of advancement, wealth, and innovation. Ignoring young unemployment is more than simply a financial problem; it's a lost chance to spur the creative spark and propel the country ahead.

Putting money into Sri Lanka's young is an investment in the future of the nation, not a cost. Sri Lanka can empower its youth to become leaders, innovators, and the engine of economic growth by putting the suggested solutions—reimagining vocational training, encouraging entrepreneurship, promoting career guidance, bridging the digital divide, and championing gender equality into practice. The public sector, commercial sector, educational institutions, and civil society must work together to accomplish this.

Sri Lanka may realise its young people's full potential if it acts decisively and prioritises youth empowerment through customised policies and initiatives. To quote Nelson Mandela, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Let's provide the young people of Sri Lanka the resources they require to improve not just their own lives but also the future of the entire country.

(The writer is a B.Sc. Entrepreneurship (Special) Undergraduate - University of Sri Jayewardenepura. https://www.linkedin.com/in/isiri-senara-493594213)