Ammon News -

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) revealed Tuesday the "Youth Social Economic Aspirations Study", which highlights the socio-economic aspirations and experiences of Jordan’s young people.

The nationally representative study reveals that from 2020 to 2021, while Jordan’s youth population is increasingly educated, their transition to adulthood is not meeting their aspirations. The jobs that young people aspire to have are unattainable, leading to a challenging transition from school-to-work and delays in financial independence, marriage, and starting their own families.

The study, implemented by Saint Catherine University, generates evidence-based recommendations for policies and programmes. In addition to introducing young people to the benefits of different educational choices to help them achieve their aspirations, the study stresses the importance of stimulating labour demand, creating women-friendly workplaces. This study was funded by the Government of Canada and the Government of the United States.

In a speech, the Minister of Youth, Mohammad Nabulsi, said: "Our vision for youth and economic participation is to create a supportive and safe environment for youth, promote a culture of entrepreneurship, encourage young women to engage in the labor market and creating the appropriate environment for them, and transforming challenges into opportunities. We will spare no effort in investing in youth in terms of education, training and qualifications, to enable them to address internal and external challenges with awareness and competence."

"Youth economic empowerment is a national priority that requires joint efforts from all sectors," said Nabulsi. "The Ministry of Youth has developed training programmes to enhance youth capabilities and entrepreneurial skills, launched national leadership forums, localized youth initiatives in youth centers, sparing no effort in supporting young entrepreneurs, channeling their energies, and promoting their economic and social participation."

This study is part of the evidence generation pillar of UNICEF’s Learning to Earning programme that aims to empower vulnerable youth in Jordan through formal and self-employment interventions, as well as digital skills and career counseling.

"This critical phase of adolescence and young adulthood will shape the future of a generation and even the country. UNICEF will continue to work with the government of Jordan to engage all of Jordan’s vulnerable adolescent and young people in activities that will facilitate their social and economic engagement, with particular focus on young women," said Tanya Chapuisat, Representative of UNICEF Jordan.

The quantitative data was based on a nationally representative survey of Jordanians and Syrians in Jordan aged between 16 and 30 years. The resulting sample reached 2,854 households and 4,538 young people.