A Skills-Based Human Capital Framework to Understand the Phenomenon of Youth Economic Disengagement

Angel-Urdinola, Diego F. ; Mayer Gukovas, Renata

World Bank, Washington, DC

关键词: DISCOURAGED YOUTH;    YOUTH EMPLOYMENT;    UNEMPLOYMENT;    HUMAN CAPITAL;    SKILLS DEVELOPMENT;   

DOI  :  10.1596/1813-9450-8348
RP-ID  :  WPS8348

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: World Bank Open Knowledge Repository

【 摘 要 】

This paper revisits traditional humancapital models and proposes a new conceptual framework ofhuman capital accumulation, anchored in skills development,to illustrate the phenomenon and implications of youtheconomic disengagement. In the framework, youth economicdisengagement is defined as a state (temporary or permanent)where individuals stop accumulating human capital due toinadequate access and quality of opportunities for skillsdevelopment through formal education and employment. Totaleconomic disengagement is a rational choice that individualsmake when (i) the formal education system and labor marketdo not contribute to build skills that are valued by thelabor market, and (ii) the costs related to economicengagement (that is, studying and working) surpass itsbenefits. The phenomenon of economic disengagement haslifelong implications that not only constrain and restrainfuture earnings, but also undermine prospects forimprovements in productivity and economic growth.