Unemployment and Socio-Economic Impact On Youth of Sheema District

Abstract The purpose of this study was to critically examine the factors of youth unemployment on the socio economic impact in Sheema district. The study was based on three objectives; (i) to identify the factors of unemployment among youth in Sheema district; (ii) to assess the socio economic impact of youth in Sheema district; and (iii) to find out the relationship between youth unemployment and socio economic impact in Sheema district. The study employed cross-sectional research design and a sample size of 80 respondents were used for the study. In regard to factors of unemployment among youth in Sheema district, findings revealed that; majority 66.3% were males; majority 17.5% were both 23 and 26 years; in regard to education, majority respondents 26.3% were bachelor holders; in regard to employment, majority 55% of the respondents were not employed, majority 63.8% of youth preferred their jobs and 36.3% of youth respondents do not prefer their jobs because the income they receive from their jobs is less and cannot sustain their needs; and majority 45% got theirjobs through family members, 36.3% got theirjobs through their friends and only 18.8% got theirjobs though merit. In regard to socio economic impact of youth in Sheema district; majority 318% of youth respondents receive a daily income of 1,000 Ugandan shillings, However, 6 1.3% of youth respondents’ daily income received is not enough to meet their daily needs and these usually opt for practicing small farming like rearing goats and pigs; majority 77.5% go to hospital when they fall sick; 85% of youth respondents access health services from government hospitals; 71.3% do not go to school, 76.3% do not have school going children; 82.5% normally do savings monthly, 15% do savings weekly and 2.5% do savings daily. In regard to relationship between youth unemployment and socio economic impact in Sheema district; it was found out that there is no statistical significance impact between youth unemployment and socio economic impact in Sheema district. The study concluded that; Ugandan Government is clearly intensifying its efforts to create jobs, through various recent policy interventions such as the vision 2040. However, in these efforts, government has faced a challenging global environment, such as financial crisis, that has significantly hampered job creation. The fact that the unemployed youth continue to suffer other effects remain a major concern. These include low self esteem, turning to crime and alcohol abuse and ill health due to an inability to access proper healthcare. The study recommended that; ILO member states should place much emphasis on developing skills, education development and employment of youths; Government and other stakeholders should put up a strong accountability mechanism to ensure that the funds allocated to reducing youth unemployment in the country actually serve this purpose.