Youth Unemployment in Barbados: Concerns and Solutions

Official Data Indicates a Decline, but Concerns Remain

Official data indicates that youth unemployment in Barbados has fallen over the past year. However, with the jobless rate among young people at 19.5 percent at the end of June, it is higher than the Caribbean and global level, based on information from the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

Concerns about Under-Employment

Calling youth unemployment here “concerning”, President of the Human Resources Association of Barbados Nicholas Roberts says the worry extends to the number of youth who are under-employed. He notes that many students are leaving school without finding employment, and that this is leading to a brain drain as young people seek opportunities overseas.

Analysis of Labour Market Performance

A Central Bank of Barbados staff analysis of titled, Labour Market Performance In The First Half Of 2024 and based on data from the Barbados Statistical Service, says that the overall unemployment rate dropped from 8.5 per cent in the second quarter of 2023 to 7.7 per cent in the second quarter of this year.

“Youth unemployment also saw an improvement, decreasing from 22.1 per cent over the first half of 2023 to 19.5 per cent over the corresponding period of 2024. This trend reflects enhanced opportunities for young job seekers, possibly due to expanding job opportunities in sectors like retail and hospitality that typically absorb younger workers,” the analysis published as part of the January to September economic review states.

Global Employment Trends

The ILO’s Global Employment Trends for Youth 2024 report states: “The 2023 youth unemployment rate, at 13 percent, equivalent to 64.9 million people, represents a 15-year low and a fall from the pre-pandemic rate of 13.8 percent in 2019. It is expected to fall further to 12.8 percent this year and next year.

“At 11.8 percent, the youth unemployment rate for the Americas has fully recovered from the peak seen during the COVID-19 crisis, representing a multi-decade low.” The report added: “Latin America saw the largest decrease in youth unemployment from 2019 to 2023, down by 4.5 percentage points, to 13.4 per cent. Rates for the Caribbean and North America fell to 18.1 per cent and 8.2 percent respectively. The youth unemployment rate in North America was the lowest of all the world’s regions.”

Solutions and Recommendations

Roberts suggests that the Government and private sector should focus on developing skills that are in demand, and that they should look beyond certifications and qualifications to find the right candidates. He also recommends that the education system should be reformed to better prepare students for the job market.

“We need to look at not hiring someone because they don’t have a certain degree or they may not have worked in the role that you are hiring, but look and see if they have transferable skills,” Roberts recommended. “Someone may for instance have worked in education before, and they are looking to make a transition into another role. What skills do they have from that previous position that they could bring to this job that you’re hiring for?”

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the youth unemployment rate in Barbados has declined, it remains higher than the Caribbean and global average. The issue of under-employment is a major concern, and solutions will require a multifaceted approach that involves the Government, private sector, and education system.

FAQs

Q: What is the current youth unemployment rate in Barbados?
A: The current youth unemployment rate in Barbados is 19.5 percent.

Q: How does Barbados’ youth unemployment rate compare to the Caribbean and global average?
A: Barbados’ youth unemployment rate is higher than the Caribbean and global average.

Q: What are some of the challenges facing young people in Barbados?
A: Some of the challenges facing young people in Barbados include limited job opportunities, lack of skills, and brain drain.

Q: What can be done to address these challenges?
A: Solutions will require a multifaceted approach that involves the Government, private sector, and education system. This includes developing skills that are in demand, looking beyond certifications and qualifications, and reforming the education system to better prepare students for the job market.