Youths at a crossroads in a changing world of work

DAR ES SALAAM: FOR many young people in Tanzania, finishing school or university is no longer seen as the final step towards a stable career. Instead, it can mark the beginning of another difficult journey finding work, developing practical skills, earning an income and trying to build a future in an economy that is changing rapidly. Tanzania has a large and growing youth population.

According to the 2022 Population and Housing Census, about 20.7 million people aged between 15 and 35 were living in the country, accounting for 34.4 per cent of the population on the mainland. This makes young people an important part of the country’s workforce and future economic development.

Yet having a large youth population does not automatically translate into economic opportunity. Young people are entering a labour market where employers increasingly demand practical experience, digital abilities, communication skills and specialised knowledge alongside academic qualifications. The latest Integrated Labour Force Survey provides some indication of the changing situation.

Youth unemployment among people aged 15–35 declined from 8.3 per cent in 2024 to 7.5 per cent in 2025. However, the figures also show differences between young men and women, with unemployment remaining higher among females. Behind these statistics are young people spending months or even years searching for employment, accepting temporary opportunities or creating their own sources of income.

For some, entrepreneurship has become an alternative to waiting for formal employment. Small businesses, online selling, creative work, transport services, agriculture, photography, video production and other informal activities have become ways for young people to generate income. However, starting a business is not always easy. Access to capital, markets, technology, business knowledge and reliable infrastructure can determine whether a young person’s idea becomes a sustainable enterprise or disappears after a short period.

The labour market is changing as technology becomes part of everyday economic activity. Digital platforms have created opportunities in areas such as content creation, graphic design, digital marketing, programming, online commerce and freelance work. At the same time, traditional occupations are also becoming more dependent on technology.

This means that education alone may not be enough if young people do not have opportunities to develop practical and market-relevant skills. The National Bureau of Statistics has identified skills development, retraining and stronger support for youth as important areas for improving employment opportunities. Its labour-market findings also point to the need to expand opportunities in sectors such as services, industry, technology and the blue economy.

For young graduates, one of the most frustrating parts of the transition into employment can be the demand for experience. Job advertisements may require applicants to have experience even when they are applying for entry-level positions. Internships and apprenticeships can help bridge this gap by allowing young people to gain practical experience before entering permanent employment.

Tanzania has already used apprenticeship, internship and vocational training programmes as part of efforts to strengthen youth skills. Government economic reporting, for example, recorded thousands of young people participating in apprenticeships, internships and vocational training programmes. But the future of youth employment cannot depend only on creating more conventional office jobs.

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Agriculture remains a major source of employment for young Tanzanians. NBS data show that agriculture, forestry and fishing accounted for the largest share of employment among people aged 15–35, while millions of young people were also engaged in informal non-agricultural economic activities. The challenge, therefore, is how to make these sectors more productive and attractive to young people. Technology could play a role.

A young farmer with access to market information, digital financial services, weather information and modern farming techniques may have opportunities that previous generations did not have. Similar possibilities exist for young people working in manufacturing, tourism, creative industries and small businesses. But technology itself is not a solution unless young people can access it and understand how to use it effectively.

This is where the question of digital skills becomes increasingly important. Young people may spend considerable time using smartphones and social media, but digital literacy for entertainment is different from digital skills that can generate employment or improve productivity. The distinction is important in a labour market where employers increasingly value technological competence. Another issue is the pressure young people face while trying to establish themselves.

Social media can create the impression that everyone else is succeeding — starting businesses, travelling, buying property or building successful careers. For young people who are still searching for work, this can make economic uncertainty feel even more difficult. Yet the reality is more complicated.

Many young people are combining several activities at the same time: studying while working, running small businesses while looking for formal employment, freelancing while building professional experience, or supporting their families while trying to develop their own careers. The traditional idea of graduating, securing one permanent job and remaining there for many years is increasingly being accompanied by a more flexible but uncertain model involving multiple income sources and continuous skills development.

For policymakers, employers, educational institutions and communities, this raises an important question: how can Tanzania ensure that its large youth population becomes an economic strength rather than a group struggling to find opportunities? The answer involves more than simply creating jobs. It requires stronger links between education and the labour market, practical training, apprenticeships, access to finance, digital skills, entrepreneurship support and opportunities for young people outside major cities.

The International Labour Organisation’s current Decent Work Country Programme for Tanzania places youth employability and skills development among its priorities, alongside productivity, sustainable incomes, formalisation and inclusive growth. For young Tanzanians themselves, the changing labour market also means that adaptability is becoming increasingly important.

A qualification can open a door, but practical skills, experience, networking, creativity and the ability to learn new things can determine how far a person progresses once that door opens. Tanzania’s youth population represents a significant opportunity. With millions of young people entering or preparing to enter the labour market, their skills, ideas and economic participation will influence the country’s development for decades to come.

The challenge is ensuring that young people are not simply prepared to look for jobs, but are equipped with the knowledge, skills and opportunities to create value wherever those opportunities exist.

For a generation growing up in a rapidly changing economy, the future of work is already here. The question is whether the systems around them can change quickly enough to give them a meaningful chance to participate in it.

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