Designing a multi-faceted package of support to young people

South Africa’s latest unemployment figures once again set off alarm bells over the well-being of the country’s youth. Not only is the overall youth unemployment rate of 39.6% a record high, but the figures also point to a particularly vulnerable group: the 15 to 24-year age group who is affected disproportionately with an unemployment rate of 55.2%. Young people of these ages in South Africa are negotiating the crucial transition from adolescence to young adulthood in the context of multiple challenges of deprivation. Of concern are the just over three million 15 to 24-year-olds who are not in any form of education, employment or training (NEET). With a growing body of research pointing to the harmful long-term effects of such disconnect on NEET youth, a SALDRU-led coalition project is in the process of designing an intervention programme that can give such young people support that is tailor-made to their individual circumstances. 

Read more on the SALDRU website.