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High fertility and declining mortality rates have led to a very young population in most Sub-Saharan African countries. The region's labour force is expected to increase by 11 million a year over the next 10 years. Most of this increase will be new entrants seeking their first job. While the younger generation is better educated than their parents, they often lack the means to translate that education into productive employment. Today, most work is in non-wage jobs in household farms and firms. Even if greater economic activity creates the conditions for robust growth and economic transformation, the private modern wage sector in low and lower-middle income countries cannot absorb all new entrants. The report focuses on how to improve the quality of all jobs with a view to meeting the aspirations of youth. It emphasises that building a strong foundation for human capital development can play an important role in boosting earnings and argues that a balanced approach that builds skills as well as the demand for labour is key.

The report notes that many youth employment challenges are problems of employment in general. But, in addition, youth is a time of transitions and young people face particular constraints to accessing productive work. The report brings together original analysis of household and labour force surveys; it reviews the experience of a number of promising interventions across the continent; it draws from qualitative surveys in a number of countries; and it surveys the most up-to-date evidence from rigorous evaluations of policies and programmes. From this information base, the report provides guidance to policymakers on how to intervene along two dimensions - human capital and the business environment - and in three priority areas - agriculture, household enterprises and the modern wage sector. The ultimate goals are to increase productivity, improve livelihoods and multiply opportunities for young people.