Factors Affecting Youth Economic Empowerment: The Case of Offa Woreda, Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Nation-building exists as a mandatory approach which relies on youth development exclusively because the strength of forthcoming national development depends completely on youth attunement. Every country bases its future potential on the productive capability of its youth during the current time. Reports from World Bank indicate that youths make up 50 percent of developing world population counting 1.2 billion people within the 15 to twenty-four years age range. Respectively developing countries face both development possibilities and challenges as demonstrated by these statistical data about youth populations. A research investigation of youth economic empowerment took place within Offa Woreda. The study utilized multi-stage sampling to reach 146 participants while applying a semi-structured questionnaire and focus Group Discussion for gathering cross-sectional data. The analysis included descriptive and inferential statistics together with economic empowerment index and binary logit model interpretation. According to the index results not-empowered youths made up 67% of the total sample while the empowered youths comprised 33% which demonstrated a low economic empowerment rate in the study area. The main variables affecting youth economic empowerment within Offa Woreda revealed through the binary logit model consisted of Family size, saving amount, household income, dependency ratio, educational status, business plot, decision making, access to credit, and access to the market which contributed positively to youths economic empowerment. This study confirmed that Family size, saving amount, household income, dependency ratio, educational status, business plot, decision making, access to credit and access to market strongly influence youth economic empowerment yet the youth face considerable disadvantage based on these factors. Among the surveyed youth population 67% lacked empowerment status while empowered youth made up 33% of the total. The levels of youth economic empowerment within the study area proved to be considerably low according to the investigation results. It became essential to give special attention to the entire study area. The expansion of income streams including petty trade and dairy sales together with vegetable production should be pursued as recommendations. A regular adult education program should be strengthened throughout the woreda to serve all the youth who did not attend formal education. The organization should invest in programs that enhance abilities of youth who depend on others for financial help.