Abstract

The initiation of urban development has tiled the way for the rise of diverse societal snags amongst which is unemployment. The rate of unemployment varies across countries with its nature and extent been determined by the local context in which it prevails. unemployment in Cameroon is a major problem prevailing in urban areas in the country, based on the high rate of unemployed people in the country.

This study sought out to investigate if there is relationship between unemployment and urban development case study of Kumba. the study adopted survey research design with a total sample size of 50 staff of the 3 Kumba councils and., a stratified random sampling technique was used for study. Primary data was collected for the study using a 50 questionnaire as method of data collection.

Also, data was analyze using SPSS version 21, data was equally presented in tables and chart. The result of the findings found that tribalism and Favouritism account for unemployment in their area, equal employment opportunities are not given to both male and female in your municipality, majority of the respondent’s beliefs political instability fuels the high rate of unemployment in their municipality, there are limited funds to create new employment opportunities, most job seekers find it difficult moving to new field, less tax revenue from the public limited the capacity of council to increase jobs openings, also lack of knowledge of vacancies or openings.

Also, the study concluded it was discovered that there is a positive relationship between employments and urban development, less tax revenue from the public has limited the capacity of council to increase jobs openings. The study went further to recommends that that Kumba council should focus on creating vocational schools and supporting of technical education in their municipality so also that the rate of unemployment will be reduced which will in turn promote urban development.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.0 Introduction

This study examined the impact of unemployment on urban development case study of Kumba. This chapter described the background. in addition, and importantly described the statement of the problem, research questions, research objectives, research hypothesis, significance of the study, scope and limitation of the study, definitions of key terms and overall organization of the study.

1.1 Background to the Study

Unemployment has been and continues to be the most serious economic challenge in emerging countries. Many countries [both developed and developing] have faced significant challenges as a result of this issue. It’s been labeled as one of the major roadblocks to societal progress. Apart from being a waste of a country’s human resources, it results in welfare losses due to poor output, which leads to decreased income and economic well-being (Ebuka,2009).

Unemployment can be voluntary or involuntary. Voluntary unemployment occurs when a person decides not to work because he or she has alternative sources of income. Involuntary unemployment, on the other hand, occurs when people who are qualified and eager to work at the current rate of pay are unable to find job (Anyanwa, 1995).

Between 2010 and 2011, global unemployment remained constant at 8%. According to Gallup polls conducted in 148 countries, unemployment was highest in the Middle East and North Africa (22%) and lowest in Sub-Saharan Africa (17%). (5 percent). In 2011, seventeen percent of the world’s workforce was underemployed, down from eighteen percent in 2010. Sub-Saharan Africa (32 percent) and the Middle East and North Africa (also 32 percent) have the greatest rates of underemployment, whereas Asia (13 percent) has the lowest (ILO 2012).

Most European nations’ unemployment rates averaged about 2% from 1950 to 1970, nearly half of the percentage in the United States at the time. Since 1980, Europe has seen unemployment rates of 8 to 12 percent, about double that of the United States. Furthermore, in Europe, long-term unemployment (lasting more than a year) is significantly more prevalent than in America. Some, but not all, parts of the variance in unemployment behavior between Europe and America can be explained by unemployment theories (Parker,2010).

South Africa, Botswana, Swaziland, Iran, Iraq, and the Palestinian Occupied Territories have among of the world’s highest unemployment rates, which are primarily responsible for the high unemployment rates throughout the Middle East and North Africa, as well as Sub-Saharan Africa. Botswana’s employment rate, on the other hand, is lower (20–29 percent) than that of South Africa and even Zimbabwe, where 30–39 percent of able-bodied residents work full-time (ILO 2013).

Urban regions in both developed and developing countries are plagued by a slew of social issues, many of which are caused by a combination of circumstances. However, depending on the geographical environment in which they occur, the patterns associated with their occurrence, as well as how they are identified and managed, can vary significantly. While metropolitan regions in the North are afflicted by an old urban population, Karen Hasen (2008:6) points out that the opposite is true in the South, where countries are troubled by a booming youthful population. African youths confront the same well-known problems. High unemployment rates, restricted access to training and education, and vulnerability to HIV/AIDS are among the concerns identified by Jairo Munive (2008).

The upgrading of the urban environment has become a hot topic. In fact, the World Bank considers urban development to be one of its essential objectives. It is concerned about the datum that urban populations accounted for 50.3 percent of the world’s total population in 2009. (The World Bank, 2011). Latin America and the Caribbean countries are at the top of the list, with 78.6 percent of the people living in urban areas, according to statistics. The Middle East and North African countries account for 57.3 percent of the urban population, while Europe and Central Asia account for 63.7 percent.

In Cameroon, for example, the National Institute of Statistics’ Main Report of the Second Survey on Employment and the Informal Sector (EESI2) from 2010 shows that the unemployment rate was 3.8 percent in 2010, down from 4.5 percent in 2005. At first glance, this indicates full employment and, as a result, the labor market’s efficiency. This, however, is an illusion since, while Cameroon’s unemployment rate remains low, more than 70% of the labor force is underemployed (Singh, 2012).

According to EESI2 data, 63.7 percent of workers in 2010 earned less than the minimum wage from their principal job. Cameroon has the highest rate of precarious and vulnerable jobs in Central Africa, with 43.2 percent in Congo Brazzaville in 2011 (CNSEE, 2012), 40.8 percent in Chad in 2011 (INSEED, 2013), and 38.2 percent in DRC in 2005 (UNDP, 2009). Paradoxically, the minimum wage in Cameroon remains the lowest.

This research focuses on unemployment in Cameroon as a social problem in the urban area. The need to understand the many trends linked with the employment of urban people in Cameroon prompted the decision to focus this research on unemployment in Cameroon. It is critical to emphasize that young people and the government face not only the problem of unemployment, but also the problem of underemployment. The primary issue that this research aims to address is mentioned below.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Despite the steps put in place by the government of Cameroon to increase the country’s employment rate, the country’s unemployment rate has remained a source of concern. More young people are entering the school system; more young people are graduating; more young people are entering the urban labor market; and more young people are becoming unemployed. Unemployment and underemployment are two manifestations of both the educational system and the economy failing. As a result of rural-to-urban migration, urban unemployment is worsening. The large concentration of infrastructure and amenities in metropolitan regions, combined with favorable living conditions and a high level of living, has prompted this migration.

The large youthful population indicates an increase in the number of persons of working age, which in turn implies a rise in both labor supply and demand for job openings. Unfortunately, due to a lack of employment prospects, the demand for work exceeds the need for labor. According to a World Bank survey on youth employment done in Cameroon in 2001, 42.7 percent of youths are employed in Cameroon, compared to 80.9 percent of adults, with juvenile unemployment rates of 7.2 percent compared to 4.7 percent for adults (World Bank, 2008). These statistics show that, in contrast to urban adult residents, youths are more likely to be unemployed.

1.3 Research question

1.3.1 General research question

Does unemployment and urban development have any relationship case study of Kumba?

1.3.2 Specific Research Question

1. What perception does the public have about the causes of unemployment in the Kumba municipality?
2. What are some of the challenges faced in mitigating the level of unemployment?
3. What are the possible solutions that will bring these problems to the barest minimum in Kumba?

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