Factors influencing economic dependency levels among educated youth: the case of Makueni County, Kenya

Abstract

This study sought to assess the influence of the factors that have contributed to the economic dependency among the educated youth in Makueni County. Survey design was employed in this study which endeavored to establish the underlying factors in the ever persistent socioeconomic dependency among especially the educated youth, i.e., those who have attained the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education certificate and above. A sample constituting 108 youth aged 20-35 years was drawn from three randomly selected districts in Makueni County. Relevant stakeholders in the youth development sector were also interviewed. Quantitative data was captured from primary sources including, questionnaires, focus group discussions and key informants and secondary sources like desk reviews and internet. The data was edited, coded and eventually subjected to descriptive analysis, using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Qualitative data, obtained from focus discussion groups (FDG) and key informants (KI) was also analyzed and used to back-up survey data. The study findings were meant for all sectors of economy focusing on youth development besides other developmental areas.