The challenge of youth graduate employment in Senegal: an analysis of barriers to professional integration

Abstract

The primary objective of this article is to analyze the structural obstacles to the professional integration of young graduates in Senegal. The problem is posed by a demographic paradox: a majority young population faced with the low absorption capacity of the formal market, resulting in high unemployment. The study is based on an in-depth literature review, mobilizing key theoretical frameworks such as Human Capital Theory, Mismatch Theory, and labor market dualism. This approach was complemented by an analysis of the perceptions of young people and professionals, allowing for the identification of the main obstacles and the evaluation of the effectiveness of public employment and training policies. The methodology relies on a mixed approach, including two semi-structured interviews with experts and a questionnaire administered to 28 young graduates. Qualitative data underwent thematic content analysis, while quantitative data were processed through descriptive statistical analysis. The results validate the hypothesis of a structural inadequacy between training – deemed too theoretical – and market requirements, in support of the Mismatch Theory. The major obstacle cited by the majority is the lack of experience, confirming that a degree alone is insufficient. This situation forces nearly all young people toward entrepreneurship or the informal sector, which acts as a buffer market but offers precarious employment. Public Employment and Training Policies (PEEJF), although equipped with effective specific programs, show limitations due to fragmentation and a lack of coordination between agencies. The employment issue in Senegal is deeply structural. To improve integration, it is imperative to realign education with economic needs (by integrating practical experience), support the formalization of the informal sector, and implement systemic governance of public policies to guarantee a coherent and sustainable integration path for young people.

Classification JEL : J21, J24, J46, O55, I25

Paper type : Empirical Research