The natural resource-based sectors such as agriculture, the mineral sector, forestry and fisheries are the largest job providers in Africa. Together, these sectors account for 80 per cent of employment.
Tourism, which relies primarily on the continent’s natural and cultural wealth, employs 6.3 million people.[i]
Land degradation poses considerable risks to Africa’s socio-economic development. 65% of Africa’s cropland is affected by land degradation and recent estimates show that between four and twelve percent of Africa’s GDP is lost due to environmental degradation, increasing poverty and unemployment. [ii]
Unemployment is already high, particularly among young people. In 2016, the unemployment rate was 29.3% and 10.9% in North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, respectively,[iii] compared to the world average youth unemployment of 13.1%.[iv] This means that unemployment among North African youth is among the highest in the world.
[i]UNEP (2011): A Green Economy in the Context of Sustainable Development and Poverty Eradication: What are the Implications for Africa? p.3.
[ii]ADB (2012): African Development Report 2012 – Towards Green Growth in Africa, p. 14.
[iii] ILO (2016): World employment and social outlook, trends for youth 2016, p. 5.
[iv] ILO (2016): World employment and social outlook, trends for youth 2016, p. 5.
