Understanding Somalia’s Job Market: The Dynamics of Formal and Informal Employment
Every year, thousands of students graduate from universities, all trying to enter a labor market that cannot absorb them at the same pace. This creates intense pressure at the point of market entry, where competition is high but opportunities are limited. According to data from the World Bank and International Labour Organization estimates, youth unemployment remains persistently high; around 34% of young people in the labor force are unable to find work. However, the deeper reality is even more severe. According to the United Nations Development Programme, 41% of Somali youth aged 15-19 are actively looking for work, while 35% of those aged 20-24 face the same challenge, and nearly 70% of the population is under the age of 30. This is not just a shortage of jobs. It is a system problem. From my personal experience, getting a job in Somalia is not simple. Many students from different regions come to Mogadishu to study at universities, and after they graduate, most of them...