Not just luck: characteristics and attitudes related to employment in different sectors in Ethiopia

Lisbeth Trille G. Loft, Brown University
Carrie E. Spearin, Brown University
Dennis Hogan, Brown University

Ethiopia accounts for the largest youth population in Sub-Saharan Africa and the lack of employment opportunities for Ethiopian young people is among the critical developing challenges facing the country. Yet, there seems to be a drought of research on specific factors affecting youth employment in Ethiopia. Prior research has centered on policies and programs promoting employment in general and/or the effect of educational aspirations and attainment. Only a very limited number of studies have tried to solve the empirical puzzle of how individual background characteristics and social context affect adolescents’ attitudes towards occupational attainment. This paper investigates this relationship by examining how background and contextual characteristics affect perceived importance of ascribed and achieved characteristics on becoming a farmer, kiosk owner, school teacher or office worker. In addition, we also consider adolescents’ perception of “luck” on occupational achievement.