Demographic Youth Bulge and Unemployment as Potential for Political Violence and Insecurity in Africa, with Special Reference to South Africa

Since the 1980s, several African countries have experienced dramatic demographic shifts, resulting in their demographic profiles becoming mainly youthful. The importance of a youthful demographic profile lies therein in that if an increase in the number of working-age individuals can be fully absorbed in innovative and productive activities, the level of average income per capita will increase, thus making such a youth bulge a demographic dividend. On the negative side, if this large cohort of young people cannot find employment, earn satisfactory incomes and are exposed to persistent poverty and unemployment, the potential for youth marginalisation and exclusion will increase, with devastating and often violent consequences. A lack of social and economic opportunities could generate unease about the future of youths, and cultivate anger and loathing towards society and government, thus heightening the risk of uprisings, demonstrations and revolts. In this respect, the youth bulge becomes a demographic time bomb that will threaten state, national and human security. This article, using a sociopolitical demography approach, seeks to look at the potential impact and implications of demographic factors, specifically in South Africa. The article is mainly conceptual and employs mixed-method research to explore the potential impact and make several recommendations.