Working Paper

Rural youth and employment in Ethiopia

author(s) Schmidt, Emily - Bekele, Firew
from International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)
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themes
regions
  • Eastern Africa
  • Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Africa
  • World
citation

Schmidt, Emily; Bekele, Firew, 'Rural youth and employment in Ethiopia', International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI); Ethiopian Development Research Institute (EDRI), Washington, D.C.; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2016

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Abstract

This paper examines labor diversification in Ethiopia, focusing on youth, and explores current conditions that youth face in both the agricultural and non-farm labor markets. Using data from the Ethiopia Socioeconomic Survey (ESS) and the National Labor Force Survey (NLFS), we explore current trends in labor diversification, along with youth non-farm engagement in rural and small towns. We find that youth (ages 25 to 34 years) have a greater probability of working in non-farm enterprises compared to mature individuals (age 35-64). However, wage labor opportunities remain scant in rural Ethiopia. The majority of individuals working in non-farm employment are engaged in small-scale trade activities.

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