Sénégal : le chômage continue de grimper, nouvelle alarme sociale
Unemployment in Senegal is rising alarmingly, a consequence of an economy struggling to create jobs for its young and dynamic population. As authorities finalize a comprehensive labor market analysis for the upcoming National Employment Policy (NEP), the figures reveal a worrying situation, particularly for young people and women.
According to data from a diagnostic study conducted by the National Agency for Statistics and Demography (ANSD) at the request of the Ministry of Employment, Vocational and Technical Training, the broad unemployment rate increased from 16.3% in 2019 to 21.6% in 2024. This significant increase reflects a partial failure of the labor market to absorb the massive influx of new entrants.
A generation affected by the NEET phenomenon
Young people are the most affected: far from being a transition to employment, leaving the education system is often accompanied by a prolonged period without work or training. The phenomenon of NEET youth (not in employment, education, or training) thus reached 34% in 2024, a level well above the African and global averages.
The analysis highlights significant demographic pressure on the labor market. With a population estimated at nearly 18.6 million in 2024 and a majority under 35, Senegal sees almost 200,000 new entrants to the workforce each year, a volume that formal job creation cannot absorb. Paradoxically, while the working-age population is increasing, the labor force participation rate is declining, falling from 61.3% in 2019 to 57.3% in 2024. This decline is attributed to discouragement due to a lack of opportunities and to emigration.
Amadou Ndieck Sarré, Minister of Employment and Vocational and Technical Training, emphasized the importance of having strategic tools to meet these challenges. He stated: “Significant findings emerged, notably the mismatch between employment and training opportunities. The business climate is also a factor. These assessments yielded a great deal, and we know that solutions will be found as a result of these discussions. Each year, nearly 200,000 people enter the job market, but the economy absorbs very few. We need a relevant national employment policy to find lasting solutions.”
An aggravating factor is the persistent mismatch between workforce skills and the actual needs of businesses. The analysis reveals tensions in technical sectors such as digital technology, construction, and logistics, where qualified professionals are lacking, while the supply of operational skills remains insufficient. The formal sector is failing to develop sufficiently: only 1,230 job vacancies were recorded in this sector in 2023.
The rise in unemployment does not affect everyone equally: young people and women are particularly vulnerable. Underutilization of the workforce, which includes hidden unemployment and precarious employment, disproportionately impacts these groups, contributing to widening socio-economic inequalities.
Faced with this situation, the government has initiated the development of a new National Employment Policy to better coordinate public initiatives and align training with market needs. The country's ability to transform its demographics into an economic dividend will depend on its capacity to generate formal jobs and encourage the creation of sustainable businesses.
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