Social security for young people amidst high poverty and unemployment: Some policy options for South Africa |
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| Authors: | Miriam Altman Zitha Mokomane Gemma Wright |
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| Institution: | 1. Human Sciences Research Council, 134 Pretorius Street, Pretoria, South Africa, 0002.Miriamaltman2@gmail.com;3. Human Sciences Research Council, 134 Pretorius Street, Pretoria, South Africa, 0002.;4. Centre for the Analysis of South African Social Policy, Oxford Institute of Social Policy, Department of Social Policy and Intervention, University of Oxford, 32 Wellington Square, Oxford OX1 2ER, UK;5. Institute of Social and Economic Research, Rhodes University, 6 Prince Alfred Street, Grahamstown, South Africa. |
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| Abstract: | South African youth experience extremely high levels of unemployment and poverty. Currently there is no social assistance for low-income young adults in South Africa unless they are disabled. Interventions are needed that can achieve widespread poverty alleviation, as well as help facilitate economic participation to improve lifelong earnings. In this article, six examples of social security policy options are considered, including five grants ranging from an unconditional non-means-tested grant for young people to a conditional grant for young people in training or education, plus an ‘Opportunities voucher’ that is administered through the social security system but paid out to organisations offering youth education or work opportunities. Using a tax and benefit microsimulation model to simulate the five grants, we estimate the potential numbers reached and cost, as well as the impact of these six options on poverty. |
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| Keywords: | youth social security microsimulation poverty unemployment |
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