Psychosocial Implications of Increasing Rate of Unemployment among Youths in Nigeria

Abstract

Unemployment is a permanent feature of all economies, whether weak or strong.  This is because full employment is not realizable.  However, the rate of unemployment is a mirror, projecting the economic strength or weakness of any economy.  Even in the absence of any accurate data on unemployment in Nigeria, the unfolding events have shown that its rate is on the increase.  Since any unbearable rate of unemployment will have tolls, both on the citizens and the country at large, the study therefore set three-fold objectives which were to: one, trace historically, the crisis of unemployment in Nigeria; two, present the different manifestations of unemployment; and lastly, appraise both the psychological and social effects of its increasing rate.  The study methodology was a mix of systematic observation, interviews and reliance on secondary data sources such as bulletins, newspapers and magazines.  The study concluded that unemployment among the Nigerian youth was on the increase and it had psycho-social implications but which varied on regional basis.

Keywords: Psychosocial, Unemployment, Youths, Nigeria