This study was developed within the framework of the ILO project in support of the staff of University Centers for Career Development (UCCD) in Egypt. The project is part of a broader cooperation to support career guidance of students at public universities, under the leadership of the American University in Cairo and funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and under the auspicious of the Ministry of Higher Education.
The study aims to show the labour force participation among 12 Egyptian public university graduates (classes of 2016-2018). It highlights how they are perfor
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This study was developed within the framework of the ILO project in support of the staff of University Centers for Career Development (UCCD) in Egypt. The project is part of a broader cooperation to support career guidance of students at public universities, under the leadership of the American University in Cairo and funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and under the auspicious of the Ministry of Higher Education.
The study aims to show the labour force participation among 12 Egyptian public university graduates (classes of 2016-2018). It highlights how they are performing in the world of work and whether or not their education has supported their livelihood and their careers (among many other information).
Key findings include: (1) High labour force participation rate observed among university graduates, but breaks down into low employment rates and high unemployment and underutilization rates, particularly among young women; (2) Among the employed, a large share of recent graduates in their early careers were found to be working in precarious and low-paying jobs; (3) Important differences in labour market returns by field of study were observed. The male-dominated fields of engineering, manufacturing and construction; health and welfare and ICT reported the highest employment rates, and lowest unemployment and labour underutilization rates, as well as the highest level of wages. Women concentrated in the fields of education, arts, humanities and language, which were among the lowest-paying fields of specialization, and among the fields with the highest unemployment and labour underutilization rates; (4) A large gender wage gap exists among university graduates, particularly among graduates of ICT and health and welfare. Overall, the percentage of low earners among women was almost double that among men; (5) Self-reported dissatisfaction with job situation was widespread among university graduates, and the majority of graduates were searching for another job to get higher pay or attain a better working environment; and (6) An alarmingly large rates of education-occupation mismatch and skills underutilization are reported by university-educated Egyptian youth, which should be taken seriously by policymakers and youth stakeholders.
Edited excerpts from publisher's website and publication.
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