An Assessment of the Causes and Consequences of Urban Unemployment in Small Towns of Ethiopia: The Case of Sawla Town, SNNPR, Ethiopia

Abstract

Unemployment is one of the multidimensional problem in every society. According to this study examined the cause and consequences of urban unemployment in Sawla town, SNNPRS, Ethiopia. The study used the cross-sectional research design and by using simple random sampling technique, 332 samples were recruited for the study. To collect primary data, the researcher employed questioner, interview and observation methods. And used secondary data also used for the analysis. By using triangulation and cross case analysis, the study found that unemployment in Sawla town is highly increasing as well as in a big towns and cities of the country and in contrast to other urban centers. The main causes of unemployment identified were lack of quality education, mismatch of the skill, complex and inappropriate credit provision procedure, weak social network, poor entrepreneurship and capacity constraints of government. Stressed life, dependency, addiction, miserable life and false naming are some of consequences of unemployment for unemployed individuals whereas poverty, disagreement and weak cordiality among family members are few of consequences of unemployment at parent levels. For the societies it had born fear of theft, stealing and robbery. Based on the result of the study, the researcher recommend that, the government policy and focus of job creation and employment opportunities not should be emphasized mainly on big towns and cities rather to all small or intermediate urban centers, the parents of unemployed individuals, should encourage and develop options to their sons and daughters on attitudes to create and for self-employment rather waiting from government sectors. The unemployed individuals themselves should be a committed and motivated life to engage and run any job opportunities rather selecting jobs.