What’s wrong with Zimbabwe’s job market?

Less than 15 percent of graduates in Zimbabwe secure formal employment within a year of completing their studies, highlighting the challenges facing young professionals entering the job market.

The situation affects thousands of graduates across the country each year as they struggle to transition from university to employment. One of the major barriers is the experience paradox, where employers require work experience for entry-level jobs while graduates need employment to gain that experience.

The problem is worsened by the limited availability of structured internship and graduate trainee programmes, leaving many young professionals unable to build the experience needed to compete in the labour market.

Employment opportunities are also often influenced by professional networks, with some jobs circulating through connections rather than public advertisements. This leaves many qualified graduates without access to available positions.

Even when graduates find employment, entry-level salaries are often low, with some workers earning between US$100 and US$300 per month.

Limited growth in industries such as technology, creative sectors and manufacturing has also slowed job creation, contributing to the country’s ongoing brain drain as skilled professionals seek opportunities abroad.

As a result, many Zimbabweans are turning to alternative ways of earning a living, including launching side businesses and developing new skills online to create their own opportunities.