The Working Lives of 1250 Urban Youth in Benin

Abstract

We analyze the baseline and first follow-up round of a labor market survey conducted with 1244 youth from urban areas in Benin. Early analysis shows that youth activity is more dynamic than typically portrayed, with youth frequently transitioning between self-employment, wage employment, and inactivity after completing their education or training. Apprentices are shown to leave school earlier, come from less educated households, and be less likely to find wage employment than those who continue their education into their 20s. Self-employment is the most likely outcome regardless of education track, both according to the data and to youths’ expectations. Youth who have already achieved selfemployed status are more likely to have moved away from their parents, be married, and have started a family. Young job-seekers not in education or training blame weak labor market demand and their own inadequate skills for their difficulties in securing e mployment. A high response rate to the first followup survey (nearly 90%) suggests that phone surveys may be a cost-efficient method for collecting panel data on youth.