Youth Unemployment in South Africa Fuels Rise in Sexual Exploitation and Gender-Based Violence Against Young Women

South Africa faces a deepening youth unemployment crisis, with the first quarter of 2025 recording a staggering 46.1% unemployment rate among young people aged 15 to 34. This translates to approximately 4.8 million unemployed youth, many of whom lack any prior work experience. The situation is even more dire for those aged 15 to 24, where unemployment has surged to 62.4%—the highest level since 2022.

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The Link Between Youth Unemployment and Vulnerability

This high unemployment rate has far-reaching social consequences, particularly for young women. Economic hardship increases their vulnerability to sexual exploitation and gender-based violence (GBV). Without stable income or opportunities, many young women face pressure to engage in transactional relationships or exploitative situations to survive.

Experts note that the lack of economic independence limits young women’s ability to escape abusive environments or assert their rights. The desperation caused by unemployment exacerbates power imbalances, making young women prime targets for perpetrators of GBV.

Structural Challenges Fueling the Crisis

The youth unemployment crisis is rooted in structural inequalities and policy shortcomings. Despite government initiatives such as the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention, critics argue these programmes are underfunded, poorly coordinated, and disconnected from grassroots realities. Corruption and inefficiency further divert resources away from critical job-creation efforts.

Moreover, many young people lack the education or skills demanded by the labour market. Nearly six in ten unemployed youth have no prior work experience, creating a vicious cycle where lack of experience prevents employment, and unemployment prevents gaining experience.

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Education and Skills Gaps

Education plays a crucial role in employment prospects. Youth without a matric qualification face the highest unemployment rate at 51.6%, while those with vocational training fare somewhat better at 37.3%. University graduates experience significantly lower unemployment at 23.9%, highlighting the protective effect of higher education in a tight job market.

However, access to quality education and skills development remains uneven, especially in rural provinces like the Eastern Cape and North West, where youth unemployment rates exceed 58% and labour market participation is low.

Impact on Gender-Based Violence

The economic exclusion of young women contributes directly to the rise in GBV cases. Financial dependence on abusive partners or transactional relationships increases their risk of violence and exploitation. The trauma of GBV further limits young women’s ability to seek employment or education, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and abuse.

Community organisations emphasise that addressing youth unemployment is vital to reducing GBV. Empowering young women economically strengthens their autonomy and resilience against exploitation.

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The Way Forward: Integrated Solutions

Tackling this crisis requires urgent, multi-sectoral action. Experts call for:

• Increased investment in inclusive economic development targeting youth
• Strengthened and well-funded youth employment programmes aligned with labour market needs
• Enhanced access to quality education, vocational training, and digital skills development
• Support services addressing GBV, including safe spaces and economic empowerment initiatives for survivors
• Combating corruption and improving governance to ensure resources reach intended beneficiaries

The government’s youth jobs drive, while a step in the right direction, must be scaled up and better coordinated with civil society and private sector partners to create meaningful opportunities.

Youth Unemployment Crisis

South Africa’s youth unemployment crisis is not only an economic challenge but a social emergency that fuels sexual exploitation and gender-based violence against young women. Closing the unemployment gap and empowering young women economically are critical steps toward breaking this cycle. Only through comprehensive, sustained efforts can the country secure a safer, more equitable future for its youth.