STWR - Share The World's Resources

Addis Ababa, Nov 18: The number of youths in the age-group of 15 to 24, seeking their first job in Middle East, North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, outpaced the number of newly-created job opportunities in the region during the last decade, said a report of the International Labor Organisation.

The new report, launched here Thursday, also indicated that the above mentioned regions have the highest proportion of young people in the labour force. It said the labour force grew by 32.2 per cent in the Middle East and North Africa, and by 29. 8 per cent in sub-Saharan Africa during the last decade.

It added that youth unemployment rate grew by 18.2 per cent in the Middle East and North Africa and by 34.2 per cent in sub-Saharan Africa during the reported time.

The report also stated that the number of unemployed youth worldwide reached 85 million in 2005 while youth unemployment during the same year reached 13.5 per cent around the globe.

The report underscored the need to develop and implement strategies that give youth everywhere a real and equal opportunity to find full and productive employment and decent work.

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