Exposed to civil war as children, Sierra Leone’s young adults suffer in the labour market

Most of Sierra Leone’s young adults (aged 18-35 in 2019) were exposed to the country’s violent civil war (1991-2002) as children. These young adults are now the country’s largest population group and they experience highest unemployment rates. A team of local PEP researchers provides empirical evidence that conflict exposure at a young age reduces wages, long-term earning potential, and the probability of being employed. Exposure to conflict is linked to a reduction education, causing these negative employment effects.
Find out more about the research methods, findings and policy recommendations in the following PEP publications: