The economy is growing at only 4.4 to five per cent a year, according to government statistics. Over half a million reach employment age each year, according to a study by Samir Radwan, ILO senior employment adviser. The economy is growing too slowly to provide them with work. If the unemployment rate is rising, Radwan explains, then policy-makers need to worry. Youths between 15 and 24 make up 74 per cent of the unemployed.
Unemployment has to be confronted immediately.
According to a recent study by the Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics, unemployment rates show a striking age pattern. Unemployment is greatest among 15-25 year olds. If you are in that age group, you have a 27.5 per cent chance of being jobless. In other age groups, your chance is closer to one in 10. For those looking for work for the first time, unemployment is a staggering 95 per cent.