EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT ON THE ESCALATION OF CRIME RATES IN CAMEROON

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

Youth unemployment is a widespread issue that affects countries around the world, particularly those that are still developing. In Cameroon, the situation has become increasingly concerning and requires immediate attention. It has been extensively documented that when young people are not employed, they tend to channel their energies into negative pursuits (Ajayi et al., 2018). The impact of crime on the economic, social, and political life of the nation has been significant over time, resulting in a growing level of security challenges facing the country. Violent crimes such as armed robbery, kidnapping, cult wars, terrorism, and internet fraud have become increasingly prevalent in the past two decades. Research findings suggest that the high rate of unemployment in the country may be a contributing factor (Aluko, 2017).

Unemployment is a circumstance where individuals who are actively seeking employment are unable to secure work. This measure is frequently utilized to gauge the economic well-being of a country, serving as a crucial indicator of its overall economic performance. It reflects the capacity of individuals to easily secure meaningful employment and contribute to the productive output of the economy (Animba et al., 2021). There is no universally agreed-upon definition of youth, as it varies depending on societal and cultural perspectives. However, the United National Youth Fund defines youths as individuals between the ages of 15 and 30. In 2015, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation defined youth as a period of transition from childhood dependence to adult independence. This definition was presented in contrast to the definition provided by the African Union. The African Union argued that the transition from childhood to adulthood and the process of defining youth can happen at different ages and times. As a result, they endorsed the definition given by African youth, which states that youth is between 15-35 years of age (Asaju, 2019). The issue of youth unemployment is not limited to Africa or Cameroon, but is a global phenomenon. It suggests that a nation misses out on the valuable contributions of highly skilled, talented, and educated young individuals, resulting in a loss of human resources (Kazah et al., 2019). This has led to frustration and anger among young people who have spent years searching for jobs without success. As a result, some of them have turned to illegal activities, anti-social behavior, political and economic sabotage, and criminal acts as a way of expressing their dissatisfaction with a system that has excluded them from meaningful employment opportunities (Nwogwugwu and Irechukwu, 2018).

In a typical African traditional society, being idle was always looked down upon. This is because individuals, particularly the younger generation, actively participated in various occupations such as agriculture, petty trading, blacksmithing, craft, and molding. Their aim was to support themselves financially and make a meaningful impact on society (Samson et al., 2019). They did this to maintain a balance between their physical and mental well-being, ensuring that their minds were occupied and shielded from negativity. Nevertheless, the impact of colonization, westernization, urbanization, and globalization resulted in a significant migration of young individuals towards the white and blue collar jobs that emerged from the colonial context. Unfortunately, this focus on specific types of employment overshadowed other aspects of job opportunities (Uyang et al., 2021). In addition, the education plan was marked by significant funding, resulting in a rapid increase in the student population in schools. The aftermath resulted in a surge of school graduates across various educational levels, which created social and economic challenges due to the nation's inability to provide sufficient opportunities for them. The youth's lack of productivity has fueled the flames of conflict, making them vulnerable to warlords, criminal gangs, and political manipulators. This has had a negative impact on peace and stability in the state. Reflecting on the high unemployment rate in Cameroon; Kante (2021) laments the persistent issue of youth unemployment in Cameroon, which has been a source of instability and poses a threat to the nation. In a challenging job market, numerous tertiary institutions in the country continue to produce a high number of graduates each year, exacerbating the issue of unemployment.

The current unemployment rate in Cameroon is alarmingly high, leading to a surge in frustration and an alarming rise in crime rates across the country. The situation has resulted in several economic and social challenges (Mbani, 2019). The country's higher institutions of learning produce graduate every year, some of whom may be well-prepared while others may still need further development, which adds to the existing situation (Kanta, 2021; Kalou et al., 2022). The expectations of these graduates are disappointed as they are quickly immersed in a highly competitive job market with limited opportunities. Furthermore, numerous individuals who did not complete secondary school also jump on board. The current unemployment rate is concerning, as more and more young people are struggling to find meaningful employment. This is the current situation in Cameroon today. 

Studies indicate that individuals who are currently without employment, particularly young people, have a higher likelihood of being involved in criminal activities and experiencing violence (Okafor, 2019). The widening disparity between the affluent and the less fortunate has a profound impact on society, leading to a rise in acts of violence. Many individuals who work for themselves are feeling discouraged due to the lack of necessary infrastructure, which is hindering their ability to conduct business (Okafor, 2019). In terms of the economy, underemployment has a negative impact on the purchasing power of individuals, resulting in decreased consumption. Reduced consumption results in a decrease in production rates, which hinders the progress of economic growth. In terms of social impact, it leads to a higher crime rate.  As per Okojie's research (2023), young people often engage in criminal activities due to a lack of productive outlets for their energy. This leads them to resort to criminal behavior as a means of expressing their frustrations with a system that restricts their access to gainful employment and hinders their ability to contribute positively to social and economic progress. Consequently, they become involved in anti-social, economic, political, violent, illegal, and criminal activities. These implications have significant impacts on the country's economy, society, politics, physical well-being, morality, and psychology.

Cameroon, similar to numerous other Sub-Saharan African countries, grapples with the ongoing issue of elevated youth unemployment. Based on the latest data from the World Bank (2022), the rate of youth unemployment in Cameroon is approximately 10.5%, which is considerably higher than the national average of around 4.5%. This discrepancy emphasizes a significant underutilization of the youthful workforce, which has the potential to worsen economic instability and social unrest (World Bank, 2022). In the context of Cameroon, the connection between youth unemployment and crime is a matter of great concern. A study conducted by the International Crisis Group (2020) indicates that in Cameroon, there is a correlation between elevated rates of youth unemployment and a rise in petty crimes like theft and vandalism, as well as more severe offences like armed robbery and gang violence (International Crisis Group, 2020). Unemployment has a significant impact on both financial stability and psychological well-being, which can potentially lead to an increase in criminal behavior. Based on a study conducted by the African Development Bank (2021), it has been found that the high unemployment rates among youth in Cameroon are closely linked to heightened levels of stress, frustration, and hopelessness. These factors can further contribute to an increased likelihood of involvement in criminal activities (African Development Bank, 2021). This psychological burden frequently results in a feeling of being excluded and more prone to criminal influences. This study aims to assess the influence of youth employment on the rise of crime rates in Cameroon.

1.2 Statement of the problem

Youth unemployment continues to be a critical concern in Cameroon, having significant consequences for both economic stability and social cohesion. In spite of numerous economic policies implemented to promote growth, the increasing unemployment rate among young individuals is further aggravating a variety of socio-economic issues, such as crime. Gaining a comprehensive understanding of the correlation between youth unemployment and crime rates is crucial in order to devise efficient strategies that can effectively tackle unemployment and its related societal problems.

The youth unemployment rate in Cameroon is a cause for concern, as recent estimates indicate that around 10.5% of the youth population is currently without work (World Bank, 2022). This rate is considerably higher than the national average, suggesting a significant disconnect between the skills of the young workforce and the demands of the labour market. The ongoing issue of high unemployment among young people has significant implications for both the economy and social stability. The link between unemployment and crime has been extensively studied in criminological and sociological research. Merton's Strain Theory proposes that economic deprivation and a dearth of legitimate opportunities can result in a rise in criminal behaviour as individuals pursue alternative avenues to attain economic success (Merton, 1938) as cited in Pedro et al., (2019). In the context of Cameroon, there is evidence suggesting a correlation between high unemployment rates and rising crime rates (International Crisis Group, 2020).

The rise in crime rates in Cameroon, especially among the younger population, has been attributed to the growing issue of unemployment. As per the African Development Bank (2021), the presence of widespread unemployment leads to feelings of economic despair and frustration, which in turn can result in criminal behaviours like theft, vandalism, and violent crime. The rise in youth crime can be attributed to the lack of viable economic prospects for young individuals. In addition, the increase in crime has extensive implications for the stability of society and the development of the economy. Crime has a detrimental impact on both public safety and the economy. It leads to property damage, reduced business productivity, and higher expenses for law enforcement and healthcare (Peller, 2021). According to the United Nations Development Programme (2021), it is crucial to tackle youth unemployment in order to decrease crime rates and promote economic and social stability. This study seeks to evaluate the impact of youth employment on the increase in crime rates in Cameroon.

Objectives of the study

The primary objective of this study is to critically evaluate the impact of youth employment on the escalation of crimes in Cameroon. Specific objectives of this study are to:

To assess the factors contributing to youth unemployment in Cameroon

To evaluate the extent in which unemployment has led to increase crime rate in Cameroon

To identify the Forms of crimes perpetrated in Cameroon as result of youth unemployment

To propose strategies for mitigating youth unemployment as a means of reducing crime rates in Cameroon

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions which are in line with the objectives of this study will be answered in this study:

What are factors contributing to youth unemployment in Cameroon? 

To what extent has unemployment led to increase crime rate in Cameroon?

What are the Forms of crimes perpetrated in Cameroon as result of youth unemployment?

 What are the strategies for mitigating youth unemployment as a means of reducing crime rates in Cameroon?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

To determine the effectiveness of this study, the following research null hypotheses will be formulated to guide the study and it will be tested at 0.05% levels of significance.:

Ho: The extent in which unemployment have contributed to increase in crime rate in Cameroon is low.

Ha: The extent in which unemployment have contributed to increase in crime rate in Cameroon is high.

1.6 Significance of the study

The study on the impact of youth unemployment on the escalation of crime rates in Cameroon is of great importance to a wide range of stakeholders, including policymakers, law enforcement agencies, community organizations, and the general public. Gaining a deep understanding of this relationship can offer valuable insights and help shape effective strategies to tackle the issues of unemployment and crime.

This study will provide valuable empirical evidence on the relationship between youth unemployment and crime, allowing policymakers to develop focused interventions. By gaining a comprehensive understanding of how unemployment influences criminal behavior, it becomes possible to develop more targeted policies that effectively tackle the underlying causes of both unemployment and crime. Insights from the study can assist in the effective allocation of resources by identifying areas and demographics that pose a higher risk. This can result in a greater focus on strategic investments in employment programs and crime prevention initiatives. This study can be used as a reference point for assessing the efficacy of existing policies targeting the reduction of youth unemployment and crime. It can provide data to evaluate the effectiveness of current measures and determine if any adjustments are necessary.

Furthermore, through the identification and resolution of the connection between unemployment and crime, the study has the potential to make a significant impact on decreasing crime rates. Reduced crime rates have a positive impact on public safety and alleviate the financial strain caused by criminal activities. Reducing unemployment has the potential to enhance economic productivity. As more young individuals secure employment opportunities, they make a valuable contribution to the economy. This, in turn, can help reduce the economic motivations for participating in unlawful activities.

In addition, gaining insight into the effects of unemployment on mental well-being and its connection to criminal activity can contribute to the development of more effective mental health support systems. This can assist in creating programs that tackle the psychological impact of unemployment, thus minimizing its potential to fuel criminal activity. The study emphasizes the importance of establishing support systems for unemployed youth, which can include counselling, vocational training, and job placement services. Offering such assistance can help alleviate the adverse consequences of joblessness and diminish its correlation with criminal activity.

In addition, law enforcement agencies can utilize the study's findings to enhance their crime prevention strategies. Having a comprehensive understanding of the demographics and socio-economic conditions associated with higher crime rates can be instrumental in strategically planning interventions and effectively allocating resources.

In addition, the study can encourage increased community involvement in tackling issues such as unemployment and crime. By emphasizing the correlation between unemployment and crime, community organizations can rally support for youth and push for essential policy and practice reforms.

In addition, this study will make a valuable contribution to the academic literature regarding the correlation between unemployment and crime. This research can serve as a solid basis for further exploration of related subjects and provide valuable insights into research methods for future studies.

1.7 Scope of the study

Broadly, this study focus is to critically evaluate the impact of youth employment on the escalation of crimes in Cameroon. Specifically, this study seeks to assess the factors contributing to youth unemployment in Cameroon and evaluate the extent in which unemployment has led to increase crime rate in Cameroon. 

Further, this study will focus on identifying the Forms of crimes perpetrated in Cameroon as result of youth unemployment and it also seeks to propose strategies for mitigating youth unemployment as a means of reducing crime rates in Cameroon.

 The study is carried out in Cameroon. 

1.8 Limitations of the study

During the examination, the researchers observed specific limitations that are intrinsic to all human actions. The primary constraint was the dearth of comprehensive literature on the topic, stemming from the paucity of data on an evaluation of the impact of youth unemployment on the escalation of crime rates in Cameroon. Hence, a substantial investment of time and effort was required to ascertain the suitable materials, books, or information and collect data. 

Moreover, this study is limited by its limited sample size and restricted geographical coverage, principally centered on Cameroon. Hence, the ability to apply the conclusions of this study to a wider context is limited, emphasizing the necessity for additional research. 

Furthermore, the researcher's restrictions were predominantly a result of financial restraints, as they are a student who lacks the necessary financial resources to support themselves. The excessively high transportation fees at the study site presented a difficulty in fulfilling the financial responsibilities associated with transportation costs.

In addition, the researcher encountered a time limitation as a result of the necessity to do this research while concurrently completing the responsibilities of attending lectures and engaging in other educational endeavors.

1.9 Definition of terms

Unemployment: Unemployment is a term referring to individuals who are employable and actively seeking a job but are unable to find a job. Included in this group are those people in the workforce who are working but do not have an appropriate job.

Unemployment rate: The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who are unemployed. Consequently, measuring the unemployment rate requires identifying who is in the labor force. The labor force includes people who are either employed or unemployed.

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