Factors Influencing Unemployment among Youth: The Case of Tanzania

Abstract: Unemployment is a major issue among youths, creating significant challenges during their job search. This study aimed to identify key factors influencing youth employment levels, using secondary data from the Demographic Health Survey (DHS) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Both chi-square tests and binary logistic regression were employed to analyze the relationships between variables.The results indicated that age, marital status, and education level were statistically significant at the 0.05 level. Higher education attainment was found to greatly increase the likelihood of employment compared to other education levels. Additionally, males were observed to have a higher probability of being employed than females, and the likelihood of youth employment increased with age.The findings suggest that higher education serves as a crucial factor for employment in the job market. Furthermore, the study recommends that the government of Tanzania address gender equality in employment opportunities to boost female employment and ensure equal employment levels for both sexes. These measures could significantly improve the employment landscape for youths in Tanzania, providing them with better opportunities and reducing the unemployment rate among this demographic.

Keywords: Unemployment, Employment, Youth, Tanzania.