An investigation of the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of youth in the labour market in the Limpopo province, South Africa

Date
2014-12
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The ability of youth to become active participants in the labour market and to thrive and secure quality employment upon entry is a challenge and a growing concern in many countries. In Limpopo province and its local municipalities, joblessness, gender disparity, discouragement and inequality across population groups remain a challenge among youth in the labour market. The main aim of this study is to investigate the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of youth in the labour market across different geographical scales within the Limpopo province. The characteristics include age, gender, population group, educational status, employment sector and individual monthly income. In providing an overview of the characteristics of youth in the labour market, this study provides important information to planners and policymakers to understand the underlying demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the youth in the labour market. Descriptive statistics provided an overview of the characteristics whilst the relationships between labour market categories and demographic and socio-economic characteristics were established through regression, correlation and hotspot analysis. The results revealed that employed people accounted for a larger share at all geographical scales, than the unemployed and discouraged work-seekers. The majority were black African males between the ages of 30 and 35, who have obtained some secondary education, who were employed in the formal sector and earning between R801 and R1 600 per month. There were strong relationships established between all the demographic and socio-economic characteristics and individuals' employment status except age where the relationship was not significant. The hotspots (clustering of high values) for the employed white population were mainly main places within the Waterberg District while cold spots (clustering of low values) were mainly within the Vhembe and Mopani districts. Hotspots for the employed youth with some secondary as highest level of education were mainly main places within Waterberg, Mopani and Greater Sekhukhune districts, while the cold spots were mainly within the Capricorn District. There is currently no existing youth profile that explains the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of youth aged 15–35 in the labour market for Limpopo and hence, this study will contribute in this area. It will also provide sufficient evidence to inform policies and strategies that will address the unhealthy labour market, which consequently will assist towards the achievement of the National Development Plan (NDP) targets.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die vermoë van jongmense om aktiewe deelnemers in die arbeidsmark te word en om vooruit te gaan en gehalte werk te verkry by hulle toe trede tot die mark is 'n uitdaging en 'n bron van toenemende kommer in baie lande. In die Limpopo-provinsie en sy plaaslike munisipaliteite bly werkloosheid, geslagsdiskriminasie, ontmoediging en ongelykheid onder bevolkingsgroepe 'n uitdaging onder jongmense in die arbeidsmark. Die hoofdoel van hierdie studie is om die demografiese- en sosio-ekonomiesekaraktereienskappe van jongmense in die arbeidsmark to ondersoek op verskillende geografieseskale binne die Limpopo-provinsie. Karaktereienskappe sluit in ouderdom, geslag, bevolkingsgroep, onderwysstatus, indiensnemingsektor en individuele maandelikse inkomste. Deur 'n oorsig te gee van die karaktereienskappe van jongmense in die arbeidsmark, verskaf hierdie studie belangrike inligting vir beplanners en beleidmakers om die onderliggende demografiese en sosio-ekonomiesekaraktereienskappe van jongmense in die arbeidsmark te verstaan. Beskrywende statistieke voorsien 'n oorsig van die karaktereienskappe terwyl die verhouding tussen die arbeidsmark-kategorieë en die demografiese- en sosio-ekonomiesekaraktereienskappe bepaal word deur regressie en "hotspot" analise. Die resultate toon dat werkende mense 'n groter gedeelte beslaan op alle geografieseskale as werkloses of ontmoedigde werksoekers. Die meerderheid was swart Afrikaan-mans tussen die ouderdom van 30 en 35 jaar, wat een of andervorm van sekondêre onderwys behaal het, wat in die formele sektor werksaam is en tussen R801 and R1 600 per maand verdien. Daar was 'n perfekte/sterkverhouding tussen die demografiese- en sosio-ekonomiesekaraktereienskappe en die individu se indiensneming status. Die "hotspots" (saamgroepering van hoëwaardes) vir die werkende wit bevolking was hoofsaaklik te vinde in hoofplekke binne die Waterberg-distrik, terwyl "cold spots" (saamgroepering van laewaardes) hoofsaaklik te vinde was in the Vhembe-distrik en Mopani-distrik. "Hotspots" vir werkende jongmense met ’n sekondêre opvoedkundige kwalifikasie as hul hoogste onderwyskwalifikasie is gevind hoofsaaklik in hoofplekke binne die Waterberg-, Mopani- en Greater Sekhukhune-distrikte, terwyl "cold spots" hoofsaaklik voorgekom het in die Capricorn-distrik. Daar is tans geen bestaande jeugprofiel wat die demografiese- en sosio-ekonomiesekaraktereienskappe van jongmense tussen die ouderdom van 15 en 53 in die arbeidsmark in Limpopo verduidelik nie, en daarom sal hierdie studie tot hierdie navorsingsgebied bydra. Dit sal ook voldoende bewys lewer om beleid en stragieë te beïnvloed, wat die ongesonde arbeidsmark sal aanspreek, en wat gevolglik sal bydra tot die bereiking van die Nasionale Ontwikkelingsplan (NOP) se doelwitte.
Description
Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2014.
Keywords
Demographic transition -- South Africa, Limpopo Province (South Africa), Labour market -- South Africa, UCTD
Citation