Exploring the Root Causes of Youth Unemployment in the Gurage Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

Unemployment presents a major macroeconomic challenge, with youth particularly vulnerable compared to adults. This study explores the root causes of youth unemployment in the Gurage Zone, Ethiopia, using a mixed-methods approach that integrates descriptive and explanatory designs with qualitative and quantitative analyses. Data were collected through a multi-stage sampling technique from 417 selected youths, yielding 400 completed questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods, including cross-tabulation analysis, revealed key factors influencing youth unemployment: sex, age, migration status, educational attainment, maternal education level, access to credit, and training received. Broader structural causes include inflation, declining investment, political instability, skill mismatches, inadequate education curricula, a neglected agricultural sector, and limited financial resources. The study recommends enhancing education, increasing government investment in agriculture, improving political stability, expanding access to credit, and promoting self-employment initiatives. Priority sectors identified for youth employment include poultry, cattle, and sheep farming, cobblestone production, modern farming techniques, dairy and meat production, and irrigation development. Establishing modern marketplaces and improving access to necessary inputs are also crucial. Given the Gurage Zone’s limited industrial activity, targeted support from governmental and non-governmental organizations in these sectors could substantially reduce youth unemployment and drive sustainable regional development.

Keywords: Causes, Demographics, Employment, Socio-Economic Factors, Unemployment, Youth

DOI: 10.7176/DCS/16-1-01

Publication date: February 28^th 2026