Thesis:

The influence of youth unemployment on economic growth in Burundi: a case study of ntahangwa commune in Bujumbura.

Unemployment among young people is at an all-time high and has become increasingly visible and widespread across Burundi. Various government initiatives aimed at addressing this issue have not effectively reduced unemployment to a manageable level. Throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, governments have expressed concerns over the high unemployment rates among youth, particularly graduates of higher education institutions. This study aims to: examine the relationship between youth unemployment and the gross domestic product (GDP) of Burundi, analyze the relationship between youth unemployment and crime rates, and assess the impact of youth unemployment on labor efficiency in Burundi. The study is informed by the Classical Theory of Unemployment, which attributes unemployment to wage rigidity and market inefficiencies, and the Marxist (Communist) Theory of Unemployment, which links unemployment to capitalist economic structures that inherently create joblessness. These theories provide a conceptual framework for understanding the relationship between youth unemployment and socio-economic factors. The study targeted non-governmental organizations (NGOs), religious leaders, youth, and scholars. A stratified random sampling technique was used to ensure proper representation across different stakeholder groups. The final sample population consisted of 384 young people, 10 religious leaders, 10 academicians, 10 NGO representatives, and 10 community leaders, bringing the total sample size to 424 respondents. Quantitative data was collected using structured questionnaires, while qualitative data was gathered through in-depth interviews with key informants. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26, while qualitative data was analyzed thematically to identify patterns, themes, and emerging insights from respondents’ narratives. A pilot test involving 40 respondents was conducted, revealing reliability scores of 0.741 for GDP, 0.798 for crime rates, 0.809 for labor efficiency, and 0.886 for economic growth. Findings indicate a strong correlation between youth unemployment and crime rates in Ntahangwa Commune (r=0.803, p=0.000), with 26% of respondents stating that prolonged unemployment drives youth into criminal activities due to economic hardship and social exclusion. The study also found a significant negative relationship between youth unemployment and GDP (r=0.742, p=0.000), with 24% of respondents acknowledging that youth unemployment reduces purchasing power and limits economic growth. However, the relationship between youth unemployment and labor efficiency was weak but positive (r=0.407, p=0.000), with 9% of respondents indicating that unemployment limits skill development and contributes to underemployment. Given these findings, it is crucial for the government of Burundi to prioritize strategies for reducing youth unemployment. Addressing this issue will mitigate social vices associated with joblessness while fostering economic growth and social stability.