As the indicators that measure Argentina’s stuttering economy contract and decline, one figure in particular is impacting the next generation more than any other: youth unemployment.
When it comes to the rest of Latin America, Argentina has long posted above average rates for youth unemployment.
In the first quarter of 2020, unemployment for Argentines between the ages of 14 and 29 rose to 20.8 percent, according to the INDEC national statistics bureau – more than double the general rate (10.1 percent).
Compared to the rest of the region, Argentina’s rate is second only to Brazil, a country of a far larger population where youth unemployment currently stands at 29 percent, according to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), an agency of the United Nations.
For Jorge (27) being unable to find a proper job is the biggest issue young people in Argentina are facing right now.
Jorge: I love my country, but it’s not easy to love my country. There are very little opportunities for young educated people in Argentina. I have a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy and I’m unable to find a steady job that is being paid according to my education and skills. I’ve been working part – time job’s for two years now and lot of my peers shared a similar destiny. I believe that’s one of the main problems of young people in Argentina.
However, some sources state that the problem is also in young people. IT and engineering sectors are hiring many workers, as are culinary arts and languages. However, young people in Argentina continue to study law and medicine, or social sciences such as sociology and psychology. The market is saturated with graduates in those fields, and competition is fierce.
Politicians in Argentina often state that young people are not engaged enough to find work. They give up very quickly. The Government of Argentina generally does not recognize the problem of youth unemployment. It is NGOs and independent social associations that are trying to contribute to the betterment.
A large percentage of young people do not support the current government and blame them. When social problems are added to all this, corruption is on the rise in this South American country, an independent judiciary that does not exist, the situation in Argentina, according to many analysts, is not promising.
Either way, young people in Argentina are looking for a way out in freelance jobs or going to the USA. What makes them unique is their faith. As a nation they are generally cheerful, smiling and you will rarely see frustrations in everyday communication with them. One thing is for sure, they love their country.
As Jorge told me, “After the rain comes the sun, Viva la Argentina” !
