In 2025, employment remains a major concern for young people in the Fatick region. Despite promises and some public initiatives, unemployment and underemployment continue to affect a large segment of the youth population, fueling frustration, insecurity, and disillusionment.

Throughout the region, the situation is the same: many young people, whether they have degrees or not, struggle to find lasting employment. The local economy, largely dominated by traditional agriculture, small businesses, and the informal sector, offers few opportunities to absorb a growing young population.

Every year, hundreds of young people leave schools and vocational training centers without concrete prospects. The lack of industries, structured businesses, and large-scale economic projects exacerbates the gap between the training they receive and the actual needs of the local market. Many trained young people thus find themselves forced into idleness or precarious work, such as driving motorcycle taxis, due to a lack of viable alternatives.

Agriculture is becoming less and less attractive

Although agriculture remains the region's main economic sector, it no longer attracts enough young people. Difficulties in accessing land, financing, inputs, and modern equipment, combined with climate variability and soil salinity, make this sector unattractive to young people seeking stability and sustainable income.

Migration and human tragedies

Faced with a lack of local opportunities, the exodus to Dakar or irregular migration appear as alternatives for some young people. This situation exposes this segment of the population to numerous risks and reflects a deep social unease.

During 2025, many young people attempted to reach Europe by sea. Several tragedies occurred, resulting in dozens of deaths. The most recent was the capsizing of a pirogue off the coast of Joal, which reportedly departed from Foundiougne. Three young people from the commune of Diofior lost their lives in the shipwreck.

Worrying social consequences

Youth unemployment also has direct repercussions on social cohesion. The rise in precarious employment is sometimes accompanied by increased exposure to crime and social ills. At the Fatick High Court, numerous people were tried during the year, receiving heavy sentences, illustrating the negative consequences of a lack of economic opportunities.

Shortcomings identified in 2025

For many observers, 2025 will be remembered for the lack of support for young entrepreneurs. Limited access to financing, insufficient alignment between training and employment, and the absence of structuring projects are among the main shortcomings identified.

Paths for the future

To reverse this trend, local stakeholders are calling for a more ambitious youth employment policy. Developing the agribusiness sector, strengthening vocational training, supporting local SMEs, and facilitating access to credit are all avenues for offering real opportunities to the youth of Fatick.

As we approach 2026, youth employment remains one of the major challenges for social stability and sustainable development in the region.