Unemployment a concern in Khomas: McLeod-Katjirua

WINDHOEK, 31 MAY  – Despite enormous investments in the Khomas Region, levels of unemployment continue to grow.
This is a serious concern to the government, Khomas Region Governor Laura McLeod-Katjirua said during her State of the Region Address here on Thursday.
The governor explained that one of the reasons for the increased unemployment rate is because the region continues to absorb big numbers of people from all over Namibia who are searching for better opportunities.
These include opportunities for employment and education and better access to health amenities.
“The majority of the people flocking to, or who already live in Windhoek and the Khomas Region, are youth,” McLeod-Katjirua said.
She noted that during the 2017/18 financial year, the employment to population ratio in the Khomas Region stood at 57 per cent.
Employed persons in the informal sector make up 56 per cent of the employed population, indicating how important this sector is to the region, she said.
The unemployment rate in Khomas stands at 28 per cent, slightly below the national average of 34 per cent.
The majority of unemployed people have been unemployed for longer than a year.
In terms of youth unemployment, McLeod-Katjirua said the national average stands at 43 per cent, while in Khomas it stands at 37,5 per cent.
The figure for youth not in education, training or employment stands at 35 per cent.

NAMPA