As we enter the final week of Youth Month,  we look at South Africa’s contradictory youth dilemma of a huge unemployment rate for the country's youth while on the other hand South Africa faces a critical skills deficit from the mass exodus of youth talent who are leaving the country. 

The unemployment crisis impacts young people aged 15-24 and 25-34, who are the most vulnerable in the South African labour market today.  South Africa’s unemployment rate has remained the highest in the world in the first three months of 2023, as the country battled a number of economic issues.

At the same time, South Africa is facing a growing emigration problem, with large numbers of highly skilled young people potentially set to leave the country. Meanwhile, those who choose to remain are also increasingly looking to virtual emigration (working in SA but for overseas companies) – adding to the stresses local businesses already face when seeking critical skills.