Pakistan has one of the youngest populations across the globe but unfortunately it faces a pressing problem of far too few job opportunities for its youth bulge. Over 60% of Pakistan's population is under 30 years of age and many of them are tussling with the reality of limited employment opportunities, even after securing higher education. This situation is worsened by an education system that focuses on theoretical knowledge over practical skills or rote learning rather than an actual transfer of knowledge, leaving young people feeling disappointed, disheartened, and underemployed.
Pakistan’s education system is in dire need of a makeover to align with the demands of its job market. Its academic institutions produce thousands of graduates each year but their curricula usually focuses on theoretical knowledge, leaving students with no experience on the practical end. In practical fields like technology, healthcare, and engineering, the lack of hands-on experience leaves graduates in a tough nook when they go looking for a job. Recent labour market surveys show that almost 40% of recent graduates report difficulty in finding suitable employment within their chosen fields due to a mismatch between their skills and the job market demands.
Furthermore, many students end up graduating with degrees in fields that are not in sync with industry trends. For instance, students studying humanities and social sciences may find it difficult to secure steady employment, while graduates in fields like computer science or engineering may struggle due to insufficient practical experience.
Moreover, the struggles of youth hunting for secure jobs are not only economic but also psychological. In a community where higher education is often seen as the gateway to ascending the social ladder, failure to get meaningful employment after graduation leads to a sense of squandered potential. In 2017 a survey carried out by Gallup and Gillani Pakistan found that one in every two employed Pakistanis said that it would be troublesome for them to find another job.
It is safe to say that the lack of employment opportunities is one of the reasons contributing to the country’s brain drain where young adults are actively seeking employment abroad, in countries with economies far more developed than our own. This not only dispossesses our country of educated minds but also inflames the struggles of unemployment and underemployment at home.
While the education system and government policies play important roles in mitigating youth unemployment, the private sector also has a vital part to play. Many private companies are already acknowledging the value of spending on the advancement of an adept workforce, offering internship programmes, and training initiatives to bridge the gap between education and employment. For example, in the technology sector, companies like Netsol Technologies and Systems Limited have long-running internship programmes that help graduates gain practical experience and make industry connections.
The government should induce industries to take on more young workers by offering tax breaks or subsidies for companies that hire graduates and invest in their training
Companies need to partner with educational institutions to make sure that the skills they want in their employees are consolidated into the curriculum. By forming public-private partnerships, educational institutions and businesses can work together to endow the youth with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience needed to flourish in cutthroat job markets.
In addition to this, the government should also intervene and tackle the youth employment crisis. Efficient policies must be introduced that promote entrepreneurship and self-employment. As mentioned in an ADB brief published in 2022, the government increased support for an existing programme, Kamyab Jawan, which was a youth entrepreneurship scheme, which provided subsidised financing to new and existing young entrepreneurs via accredited financial institutions. Kamyab Jawan also provided training for the youth in industry 4.0 skills and funds and bodied for youth policymaking and civic engagement such as the National Youth Council (ADB BRIEFS NO. 211, n.d.).
In addition to this, vocational training and skill-development programs should be amplified, especially for youth who may not have the means to pursue conventional higher education. In recent years, Pakistan has seen some progress in this area, with institutions like the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) offering courses in high-demand domains like construction, manufacturing, and agriculture. However, these programs need to be ramped up and amalgamated with industry demands to promise their efficacy.
Moreover, the government should induce industries to take on more young workers by offering tax breaks or subsidies for companies that hire graduates and invest in their training. One such example is the "Youth Employment Support Programme" unveiled by the government in 2022, which provides subsidies to employers hiring young people in certain fields. Such programmes can help ease the employment calamity, nurture skill development, and diminish unemployment rates.
Furthermore, to tackle the catastrophe of youth unemployment in the country, a multifaceted strategy is needed. Firstly, the education system must be reformatted to underscore the advancement of practical skills, with an emphasis on domains such as technology, healthcare, engineering, and entrepreneurship. Coalescing internships, apprenticeships, and hands-on training into university curricula can better equip graduates for the workforce. Secondly, the private sector must take an energetic role in fabricating avenues for the youth to acquire relevant work experience, while also guaranteeing that job placements are synchronised with industry requirements. Thirdly, government policies must craft an encouraging atmosphere for entrepreneurship, vocational training, and innovation.
Endowing youth employment is not just a moral liability—it is an economic urgency. With the proper investments in skills development, innovation, and job placement, our country can build a workforce that is not only ready for the future but also proficient in driving the nation’s progress and abundance.