How Youth Unemployment Negatively Affects Everybody In The Society, And A Suggested Solution Action.

Sylvanus Maria Mgbechukwu, Researcher, Poet, Author, Activist, Administrator and Writer, is the founder of Direction Initiative (D.I.), and BestAdviceForAll.Com, a forum and platform dedicated and committed to Rectitude and Truth, where people could find Illumination, Direction, Sound Advice, Guidance, Inspiration, Tips, Assistance, Support Or Help, to guide them in this “modern” world that have become a dark jungle and forest of dangerous ideas, philosophies, learning, lies, propaganda and miseducation that sink or ruin unenlightened people.

“It is estimated by (ILO) that 12.6% of youths in the global labour force are unemployed amounting to about 74.6 million youths. In Nigeria, about 53.40% of youths are unemployed according to youth unemployment rates released by the National Bureau of in 2022.”

Youth unemployment has one consistent trail in any given society: crime surge! From lesser evils like pick-pockets to repulsive evils like, armed robbery, murder, kidnapping, rape, sex, banditry, pornography, fraud and other atrocities, youth unemployment has far-reaching negative impacts on both individuals and society as a whole.
Let us look at the various ways in which youth unemployment affects society negatively.
The first is increased crime rates. Youth unemployment is strongly correlated with higher rates of crime and delinquency. Young people who are unable to find legitimate employment may turn to illegal activities as a means of survival or to gain a sense of belonging and identity. This can lead to increased rates of theft, drug trafficking, gang violence, and other criminal activities, further exacerbating social problems.
The second way is social unrest. High levels of youth unemployment can fuel social unrest and dissatisfaction, particularly among marginalized communities. Frustration and disillusionment with the lack of economic opportunities can lead to social unrest, protests, and even civil unrest in extreme cases. This can destabilize communities and undermine social cohesion.
Another way youth unemployment negatively impacts on the society is its strain on the economy. Youth unemployment represents a loss of potential economic productivity and growth. Young people who are unable to find employment are unable to contribute to the economy through taxes, spending, and savings. This can lead to decreased consumer demand, reduced tax revenue, and increased reliance on social welfare programs, placing a strain on government resources.
Furthermore, youth unemployment constitute, by itself, redundant or unused potential and opportunity cost. Perhaps most importantly, youth unemployment represents a loss of potential and opportunity for young people themselves. Unemployment during the formative years of their careers can have long-term scarring effects on their earnings potential, career trajectory, and overall well-being. This can perpetuate a cycle of poverty and inequality, with long-lasting consequences for individuals and society as a whole.
Again, the health and well-being of the unemployed individual is being hampered putting the society in the disadvantaged position of benefiting from the individual. Unemployment, particularly long-term unemployment, can have detrimental effects on the mental and physical health of young people. The stress, anxiety, and feelings of hopelessness associated with unemployment can lead to increased rates of depression, substance abuse, and other mental health disorders. Additionally, unemployed individuals may lack access to healthcare and other essential services, further exacerbating health disparities.
Skill mismatch is another way youth unemployment impacts negatively on the society. Unemployment can result in a mismatch between the skills possessed by young people and those demanded by the labor market. This can lead to underemployment, where individuals are forced to take jobs that do not fully utilize their skills and qualifications.
To compound matters, high levels of youth unemployment can lead to a “brain drain” as talented young people seek opportunities abroad, depriving their home countries of valuable human capital and expertise.
In view of the aforementioned negative impacts, I call on the Mr. President, political leaders, relevant government agencies concerned, and even corporate organizations, to do all they could to ensure that a great majority of the millions of unemployed youths are gainfully engaged. This, I know, not believe will benefit every single person in the society, as it will drastically bring crime rates down, allowing people to feel safe to go about their normal lives without apprehension.
While acknowledging that youth unemployment is a complex issue with wide-ranging negative impacts on individuals and society, I would urge every government authority, corporate bodies, entrepreneurs, businessmen and women, and indeed everyone with the capacity, to try to absorb as much idle minds and hands as each could fund as our sacrifice for the good of the society.
Government authorities, on their part should take it as a challenge to cure the society of the loathsome virus of idle minds and hands by aggressively tackling youth unemployment with a comprehensive approach that, in my opinion, should center around the following 4 Keys:
⦁ Free ICT education for most of our schooled and unschooled unemployed citizens,
⦁ Entrepreneurship training for every schooled and unschooled unemployed citizen,
⦁ Materially and financially empowering every trained idle mind,
⦁ Promoting job creation,
⦁ Addressing structural barriers to employment,
⦁ Drastically the cost of doing business in the country,
⦁ 3-year tax exemption for every startup
⦁ Determined provision of reliable power supply.

May I remind our government authorities that if a third of the funds used in procuring arms, ammunitions, armoured vehicles, tracking, pursuing, prosecuting criminals, feeding inmates and so on are channeled into the above-mentioned areas, crime and criminality would be drastically reduced, and the onerous task of policing the society will be made simpler and easier.
By providing young people with the skills, opportunities, and support they need to succeed, society can mitigate the negative effects of youth unemployment and build a more prosperous and inclusive future for all.