71% of employed Kenyan youths turn to side hustles for extra income
Forty-four per cent of respondents earn less than Sh30,000 per month, while 20 per cent earn between Sh30,000 and Sh50,000.
A recent Geopoll survey has revealed that 71 per cent of employed young Kenyans have side jobs to supplement their incomes, showcasing the resilience and adaptability of the youth as they navigate an unforgiving economic landscape.
The study, which surveyed 749 Kenyans aged 18 to 35, highlighted the economic challenges many young people face despite their educational qualifications. Seventy per cent of respondents reported holding college degrees, yet most struggled to secure stable jobs in their respective fields.
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"Despite the variations in employment status, the majority of respondents reported having side hustles—small-scale entrepreneurial activities that supplement their income,” noted the report. “This highlights the resilience and adaptability of Kenya’s youth, who are leveraging their skills and creativity to navigate an unpredictable economic environment.”
The survey found that income levels for most of the youth remain modest. Forty-four per cent of respondents earn less than Sh30,000 per month, while 20 per cent earn between Sh30,000 and Sh50,000.
Only six per cent reported earning more than S150,000, underlining the tough economic realities.
Unemployment also remains a significant challenge, with 38 per cent of respondents identifying as jobless. Of these, a staggering 91 per cent are actively seeking employment, many for extended periods.
Thirty-three per cent have been searching for over two years, and another 26 per cent have been looking for one-to-two years.
Economic pressures have forced many youths to pivot from their original career paths to blue-collar jobs or entrepreneurial ventures.
Agribusiness ranked second among the top employment sectors at 14 per cent, following the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector, which accounted for 19 per cent of respondents.
ICT cited freelance work, remote work, and content creation as the most common roles.
Other notable employment areas include the sale of goods and services (14 per cent), hotel and tourism (12 per cent), and finance and insurance (eight per cent).
“Young people are increasingly creative in their job search,” observed the report. “This shift toward entrepreneurship and digital jobs demonstrates how the youth are redefining the Kenyan workforce.”
Of those in employment, 37% are full-time workers, and 26% are part-time workers. However, the majority still rely on side hustles to meet their financial needs.
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