Youth unemployment and the Arab Spring

From Emergent Africa Sat Feb 23 2013, 21:58:00

In MakingIt Magazine:

Many observers see youth unemployment as the major reason behind the recent popular uprisings in a number of Arab countries. Increasing unemployment over the past two decades has led to frustration among young people, especially among university graduates. Frustration among unemployed youth spilled out into the streets at the beginning of 2011, leading to rebellions against the existing political regimes in Egypt, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen. Civil disorder and strikes have exacerbated the situation, and reduced prospects for a rapid economic recovery. The unemployment crisis is being aggravated by low capital flows and a sharp decline in exports, resulting from the slowdown in investment and growth in the economies of the region's main trading partners. The situation for many countries is further complicated by a sharp contraction in employment opportunities in Europe, as well as the Gulf countries - a consequence of the global economic crisis. Finding new job opportunities in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is now more pressing than at any other time in the past. The problem is naturally worst in those countries where the risk of increased poverty is most prominent...[continue reading]

[view whole blog post ]
 See More    |     Report Abuse


You might also be interested in the following news stories:

Tunisie:  Sidi Bouzid - Une ville asphyxiée par les déchets, mais décidée à en sortir (news)
Tunis Afrique Presse
8 November 2025

À quelques mètres seulement des établissements universitaires de Sidi Bouzid, la scène frappe par son absurdité : un vaste terrain jonché d'ordures ... [read more]

Tunisie:  6es Jeux de la Solidarité islamique - Médaille d'argent pour Jamila Boulakbèche au 800 mètres nage libre (news)
Tunis Afrique Presse
8 November 2025

La Tunisienne Jamila Boulakbèche a remporté samedi la médaille d'argent du 800 mètres nage libre, lors de la 6e édition des Jeux de la Solidarité islamique ... [read more]

Tunisie:  Dix pavillons représentent l'édition tunisienne à la 44ème Foire internationale du livre de Sharjah (news)
Tunis Afrique Presse
8 November 2025

La 44ème Foire internationale du livre de Sharjah (Emirats arabes unis), qui se tient du 5 au 16 novembre 2025, accueille plus de 2 500 éditeurs et exposants venus de 118 pays dont la ... [read more]



blogAfrica is allAfrica.com's platform to help you keep an ear on the African blogosphere. We draw diverse voices from around the world who post regularly and insightfully about African issues. Bloggers, submit your blog's rss-feed!