Youth unemployment and the elusive promise of Sustainable Development Goal 8 in South Africa
Sakiel Albert Monama ORCID ↗ · Mashoto Semosa ORCID ↗
International Journal of Business Ecosystem & Strategy · 2026 · Vol. 8 / Issue 3 · 475-483
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Observed 21 Oct 2026, 00:14 UTC
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Abstract
Three decades after the advent of democracy in South Africa, and with only five years remaining towards 2030 of attaining sustainable development, youth unemployment remains alarmingly high. The national unemployment rate currently stands at approximately 34%, with youth unemployment exceeding 60%. This persists despite the United Nations’ Agenda 2030, which outlines 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aimed at eradicating poverty, fostering development, and stimulating inclusive economic growth. Specifically, SDG 8 seeks to “promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all”. Yet South Africa continues to grapple with entrenched unemployment, particularly among its youth, aggravating related social and economic challenges such as poverty, inequality, and crime. Achieving SDG 8 appears increasingly elusive for developing economies like South Africa, where political, social and economic realities often misalign with global development aspirations. This paper critically examines the embedded intricacies towards achieving SDG 8, focusing on the structural drivers of youth unemployment in South Africa. Guided by the Broken Window Theory, the study employs a qualitative, desktop-based research approach with systematic data analysis. Findings reveal that weak policy implementation, especially of pro-poor policies, remains a critical barrier, compounded by stagnant economic growth, high poverty rates, limited state capacity, corruption, policy uncertainty, and overreliance on the private sector for job creation. The paper concludes with recommendations for strengthening policy execution, expanding government capacity, and creating pathways for meaningful youth participation in the economy to realise the aspirations of SDG 8.
Keywords: {'name': 'Broken Window Theory, Covid-19 pandemic, SDG 8, South Africa, Youth unemployment'}
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Sakiel Albert Monama
University of Limpopo, Department of Development Planning and Management
Mashoto Semosa
University of Limpopo
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