Deteriorating Economic Context and Changing Patterns of Youth Employment in Urban Burkina Faso: 1980–2000

Based on unique retrospective survey data collected in Burkina Faso in 2000, this article examines the changes that urban youth employment has undergone over the last 20 years and the impact of the changing socioeconomic context on young people's access to labor market, with particular reference to educated youth and young women. Analysis based on employment histories shows increasing unemployment and informalization of youth employment in urban Burkina Faso. The study also provides strong evidence of a rupture between education and modern sector employment among young men, and the increased instability of employment among young women.