It’s official: South African youth have had enough. The recently released Ichikowitz Family Foundation’s Africa Youth Survey 2024 paints a stark picture of what’s keeping our young people up at night – and it’s a long list. Spoiler alert: corruption and job scarcity top that list and it’s not a close race.

The survey conducted face-to-face interviews with over 5,600 youth aged 18 to 24 across 16 African countries, found that 85% of South African youth are worried about their job prospects (or lack thereof…). This places them at the top of the “most concerned” chart, with only Cameroonian youth surpassing them at 97%.

According to 94% of South Africans surveyed, corruption is seen as the biggest barrier to progress. These concerns are not just idle chatter—they reflect a broader trend across the continent.

Let’s be honest – with the world’s youngest population, Africa’s youth are not just the future but the present. The median age on the continent is 19, and a staggering 70% of sub-Saharan Africa’s population is under the age of 30. By 2050, African youth will comprise over a third of the world’s youth population. In short, if Africa’s youth are unhappy, the whole world should pay attention.

Ivor Ichikowitz, the chairperson of the Ichikowitz Family Foundation, emphasised this point: “In Africa, which already has the youngest population in the world, it is even more important to take the pulse of this cohort of respondents. As the fastest-growing demographic globally, African youth are the ones to watch.”

Corruption: The elephant in the room

Corruption emerged as the most significant hurdle, with 94% of South African youth viewing it as a critical issue. Over 60% of the surveyed youth feel their governments are not doing enough to tackle it. As a result, many are looking for an exit strategy – nearly 60% are considering emigrating within the next three years, with North America and Western Europe being their top destinations.

Young Africans are not just talking about corruption in government; they see it everywhere – in businesses, local governments, and even police forces. They are calling for stricter measures against corrupt officials, including barring them from holding office. 

These are not passive demands; they are calls for change backed by frustration and a desire to see their countries live up to their potential.

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs: Where are they?

It’s no wonder job scarcity is such a hot topic. South Africa’s unemployment rate jumped from 32.9% to 33.5% in just one quarter this year, the highest it’s been since 2022. For young people, the numbers are even more dismal: 35.2% of South Africans aged 15 to 24 are neither in employment, education, nor training. This makes up a huge chunk of the 8.4 million unemployed South Africans.

But it’s not just about the lack of jobs—it’s about the type of jobs available. Around 73% of African youth said finding a new job is challenging, with nearly half describing it as “very difficult.” Many young people feel that there’s a misalignment between the education they receive and the needs of the labour market. 

A continent at a crossroads

While things may look bleak, there’s a glimmer of hope. The survey showed a slight increase in “Afro-optimism” – the belief that the continent is heading in the right direction. This rose from 31% in 2022 to 37% this year. 

However, the picture is varied: in Rwanda, 91% of youth are optimistic about the future, while in South Africa, that number drops to a mere 16%.

The survey is a wake-up call. Leaders, both at home and abroad, must listen to what African youth are saying. This isn’t just about jobs or corruption—it’s about the future of an entire continent. How the world responds to these concerns will shape the future of our planet.

And to the young people of South Africa: keep speaking up. Your voices matter now more than ever.