This study explores the factors shaping the aspirations of youths in Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Malawi, specifically focusing on their academic goals, STEM (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) career interests, and migration intentions. This study draws on a robust dataset comprising 2,725 youth respondents aged 15-25 years, collected through high-frequency phone surveys (HFPS) conducted as part of the World Bank's Living Standards Measurement Study (LSMS). Exploring the aspirations of youths in Sub-Saharan Africa is crucial, particularly given that by 2050, half of the region's population is expected to be under 25 years old. Our findings highlight significant gender and age disparities across youths, with female youths aged 15-18 showing higher educational aspirations than their male peers. However, their aspirations decline and become lower than those of male youths when they reach 19-25 years old. Conversely, male youths aged 15-18 and 19-25 report higher career and migration aspirations than their female peers. Additionally, educational background emerges as a pivotal factor influencing aspirations. The analysis shows that youths without formal educational degrees are less inclined to aspire to higher educational, career aspirations or to migrate. Moreover, family and community role models, along with individual attitudes, may contribute to shaping the aspirations of youths in these three countries. In conclusion, building upon our findings, this paper formulates a comprehensive set of policy recommendations. These recommendations aim to align the skills and aspirations of youths with the prevailing labor market opportunities, ultimately working towards the reduction of youth unemployment and underemployment rates across these countries.
Repository name | URI |
---|---|
Reproducible Research Repository (World Bank) | https://reproducibility.worldbank.org |
Paper exhibits were reproduced on two computers with the following specifications:
– Computer 1:
Runtime: 10 minutes
All data used for this reproducibility package are public but not included in the reproducibility package. See dataset information or the README for data access.
Author | Affiliation | |
---|---|---|
Valentina Costa | World Bank | vcosta@worldbank.org |
Ivette Contreras | World Bank | icontreras@worldbank.org |
Amparo Palacios-Lopez | World Bank | apalacioslopez@worldbank.org |
2023-04
Location | Code |
---|---|
Ethiopia | ETH |
Nigeria | NGA |
Malawi | MWI |
The materials in the reproducibility packages are distributed as they were prepared by the staff of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/The World Bank. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this event do not necessarily reflect the views of the World Bank, the Executive Directors of the World Bank, or the governments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy of the materials included in the reproducibility package.
Name | URI |
---|---|
Modified BSD3 | https://opensource.org/license/bsd-3-clause/ |
Name | Affiliation | |
---|---|---|
Valentina Costa | World Bank | vcosta@worldbank.org |
Reproducibility WBG | World Bank | reproducibility@worldbank.org |
Name | Abbreviation | Affiliation | Role |
---|---|---|---|
Reproducibility WBG | DIME | World Bank - Development Impact Department | Verification and preparation of metadata |
2024-04-04
1