Improving program coordination and monitoring can boost youth employment in South Africa

South Africa faces an urgent youth employment crisis, with more than half of young working-age people not in employment, education or training. Despite the government implementing a host of youth employment policies and programs (YEPs), South Africa has one of the highest youth employment rates globally. A team of local PEP researchers reviewed and analyzed more than 30 YEPs relating to tax incentives, funding jobs, public or community works programs, and education and training. They found that better coordination and monitoring of the programs could help improve equity and increase youth employment while being more responsive to emerging challenges. Measures to promote economic growth and encourage small business development would also support youth employment.