…Labour report shows more young people finding work as employment opportunities expand
BY MBONO MDLULI
MBABANE– Youth unemployment remains one of Eswatini’s most pressing development challenges, but new labour market statistics indicate that positive progress is being made as more young people enter employment and education opportunities.
According to the 2025 Labour Market Information Report, unemployment among young people aged 15 to 24 years declined from 56.0 percent in 2023 to 52.2 percent in 2025.
Although the figures show that more than half of economically active young people remain unemployed, the decline represents one of the most significant improvements recorded within the labour market over the two-year period.
The report reveals that youth employment increased from 35 860 in 2023 to 36 673 in 2025, while the youth employment-to-population ratio improved from 11.9 percent to 12.8 percent.
Youth labour force participation also increased from 27.1 percent to 26.8 percent, reflecting sustained engagement of young people in economic activities.
For the broader youth category aged 15 to 35 years, the report paints a similar picture of gradual improvement.
Youth unemployment within this age group declined from 48.7 percent in 2023 to 47.0 percent in 2025, while employment increased from 96 191 to 92 278 within shifting demographic trends.
Importantly, the report highlights continued improvements in youth participation in education and training programmes.
The proportion of young people aged 15 to 24 who are not in employment, education or training (NEET) stood at 37.6 percent in 2025, compared to 36.7 percent in 2023.
While this remains a concern, stakeholders say programmes aimed at improving skills development, vocational training and entrepreneurship support are beginning to create opportunities for young people.
The report notes that young people continue to constitute the largest segment of Eswatini’s population, making youth development a critical national priority.
Experts believe that improving youth employment requires a combination of education reform, skills development, private sector growth and entrepreneurship support.
Initiatives such as Youth Connekt Eswatini, youth enterprise funding programmes and vocational training opportunities are expected to play a key role in addressing youth unemployment.
The data also highlights the importance of digital skills, innovation and technology-driven entrepreneurship in preparing young people for future employment opportunities.
While challenges remain significant, the latest statistics suggest that interventions targeting youth empowerment are beginning to produce positive results.
Stakeholders say sustained investment in youth development will be essential if Eswatini is to fully harness its demographic dividend and transform its youthful population into a driver of economic growth.
As policymakers continue searching for solutions to unemployment, the report provides evidence that gradual progress is being made, even though much work remains to ensure that every young person has access to meaningful economic opportunities.
