Livelihood Options of Rural Youth in Ethiopia

Youth, defined either in age grouping and/or with social construction, constitute a large proportion of the population in Developing countries. Almost 28 percent of the population in Ethiopia is youth. The rural ones are the majority compared with their urban counterparts. Rural youth are affected by diverse experiences, including geographic variations, livelihood zones, cultural values, formal and informal institutions. Livelihood options of rural youth focuses on the way in which options of livelihoods in rural/non-rural areas, through formal and informal institutions, have impacted youth’s lives. It considers the influence of the differing agro-ecological and social contexts in which youth start transitions to adult roles and decent work. This book also addresses policy issues that determine youth livelihoods such as education, health, participation, decision making and the impact of mobility and the way that young people negotiate with the enthusiasm and energy to bring about change and construct the future dependably. Finally the book examines how young people face difficulties in the process of attaining a professional employment after a certain level of education.