Analysis of the relationship between education and youth unemployment: evidences from Turkey and Spain

Abstract

Education has a vital role in improving youth employment. Increasing youth unemployment rates and the high share of the unemployed educated young population indicate that the labor market cannot create good job opportunities. This study analyzes the relationship between youth unemployment and education in countries with a high level of youth unemployment but having different characteristics: Turkey and Spain. The analysis was conducted using Johansen Cointegration tests. The results indicate no unidirectional causal relationship from enrollment in higher education towards youth unemployment rate in Turkey and Spain. Besides, it has been observed that the increase in the higher education schooling rate does not decrease youth unemployment. The results showing the relationship between youth unemployment and education will be crucial in designing policies to improve job markets for youth.