• More than 60% of Somalis aged 15–34 were not in jobs, education, or training

• Youth unemployment among 15–24 year-olds stood at about 34%

• A World Bank-backed program targets 28,000 youth jobs by 2029

More than 60% of Somali youth aged 15 to 34 were neither employed nor enrolled in education or training in 2025, according to the Institute of Economics Affairs (IEA) Somalia. The country’s total labor force was estimated at around 3.56 million people, with only a small share accessing stable, paid employment.

Somalia’s labor market remains weakly structured and largely dominated by informal activity, limiting opportunities for secure and skills-based jobs. Young people entering the workforce often struggle to secure a first job or gain relevant professional experience.

At the same time, education and vocational training systems do not consistently align with the needs of employers. Technical and Vocational Education and Training programs remain fragmented and poorly coordinated with the private sector, widening the gap between skills and labor market demand. Youth unemployment among those aged 15 to 24 is estimated at around 34%, highlighting the scale of exclusion faced by younger cohorts.

The social and economic consequences are significant. Prolonged exclusion of young people constrains inclusive growth and deepens inequality. Many remain exposed to poverty and marginalization in a context already shaped by instability, insecurity, and strong demographic pressure, with hundreds of thousands of new entrants joining the labor market each year.

To address these challenges, the government and its international partners have stepped up interventions. In October 2025, the World Bank approved the BOOST-You project, which aims to strengthen youth employability through vocational training, job placement support, and targeted job creation. By 2029, the program is expected to generate 28,000 jobs for young people, including 16,800 for women, according to available data.

Félicien Houindo Lokossou