Impact of COVID-19 on rural youth employment


18 May 2020

Disruptions in agricultural value chains and markets are severely affecting rural livelihoods. Due to lockdowns and movement restrictions, small farmers and agribusinesses are often unable to process their fresh produce and/or access markets. Declining demand and lower prices are leading to heightened food waste and income loss. Seasonal and migrant workers, no longer generating income, are returning to their areas of origin, with ripple effects on their households.

Rural youth risk to disproportionately suffer from the pandemic. Already facing higher unemployment and underemployment rates compared to adults, rural youth are 40 percent more likely to be in casual work arrangements than urban youth (ILO, 2017). Most earn their income on a daily or weekly basis, with little or no access to health insurance or social security. Small-scale enterprises in the agri-food sector are also particularly vulnerable to simultaneous supply and demand shocks resulting in higher production costs and lower revenues. The severe losses and financial burdens faced by young agripreneurs can undermine their key role as employers and positive models for other youths in rural areas.

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Year of publication

18 May 2020

Type

Article

Region

Global

Countries

Global