Djibouti Youth Employment Activity

Challenge

According to the Statistica, in 2022, the youth employment rate in Djibouti was 77.19%¹ compared to the overall unemployment rate of 27.93%² in the same year. With a small economy and limited sectors, limited demand in some specialized technical fields, and a private sector that has limited avenues through which to advocate for changes in labor and other regulations, youth in Djibouti face a myriad of challenges in entering the labor market.

Funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Youth Employment Activity strengthened both the demand for skills and the supply of skills needed for sectoral growth in Djibouti. The project addressed the underlying regulatory and nonregulatory constraints that hinder employers from maximizing growth and employment while promoting social inclusion. It also empowered youth with the assets and agency they need to take advantage of new job opportunities through market-calibrated skills development, more informed decision-making about career pathways, and more direct work experience.

¹Statistica. (n.d.). Djibouti: Youth unemployment rate from 2003 to 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/811956/youth-unemployment-rate-in-djibouti/

²Statistica. (n.d.). Djibouti: Unemployment rate from 2003 to 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/807948/unemployment-rate-in-djibouti/

Key Activities

The project carried out the following activities:

• Conducted market system assessments and sector analyses
• Established a committee on youth employment opportunities
• Co-created a strategy for expanding IT options at Djibouti’s technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions
• Created working groups to develop solutions to regulatory and nonregulatory constraints
• Strengthened work experience and internship models
• Developed a management training practicum
• Provided job skills informed by private sector needs and engagement

Our Impact

• Identified 600+ potential jobs across construction and tourism
• Identified 150+ private sector partnerships and established six sector working groups to link youth with real job opportunities
• Achieved a 77% employment rate among youth completing workforce development programs—far surpassing the 35% target
• Built institutional capacity for labor market data collection, analysis, and communication—laying a foundation for smarter job planning going forward