The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reported a 7.2% increase in the unemployment rate for youths aged 15 to 24 in the second quarter of 2023.
The rise amounted to 7.2%, up from the 6.9% recorded in Q1 2023. This information is detailed in the ‘Nigeria Labour Force Statistics Report Q2 2023,’ released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Thursday.
The NBS also reported an increase in Nigeria’s overall unemployment rate from 4.1% in Q1 to 4.2% in Q2, reflecting a 0.1% rise.
The NBS clarified that it improved its methodology for collecting labor market data through the Nigeria Labour Force Survey, aligning it with International Labour Organization guidelines. The unemployment rate is defined as the percentage of the labor force (combining unemployed and employed individuals) not currently employed but actively seeking and available for work.
The report read, “Focusing on young people, the unemployment rate for 15-24-year-olds was 7.2 per cent in Q2 2023.”
The Bureau further stated, “The unemployment rate for Q2 2023 was 4.2 per cent, this is a marginal increase from 4.1 per cent recorded in Q1 2023.
“Unemployment rate by sex among men was 3.5 per cent and among women was 5.9 per cent in Q2 2023. Disaggregation by location, the unemployment rate was 5.9 per cent in urban areas and 2.5 per cent in rural areas.”
It added that most Nigerians operate their own businesses or engage in farming activities.
“In terms of educational attainment, the unemployment rate was 8.0 per cent for those with post-secondary education, 5.4 per cent for those with upper secondary education, 3.7 per cent for those with lower secondary education, 3.0 per cent for those with primary education, and 2.5 per cent for those with no formal education.
“The rate of informal employment is the share of employed persons in the informal sector and informal employment.
“The informal employment rate in Q2 2023 was 92.7%. Like the previous two quarters, the rate of women in informal employment is higher than that of men.”