St Lucia: PM Pierre claims decline in youth unemployment

Prime Minister Philip J Pierre during the recent session at the House of Assembly claimed that the youth unemployment rate is expected to decline noticeably by the end of the year.

On the 13^th of February 2024, the House of Assembly witnessed a motion to borrow for the organisation of eastern Caribbean states skills and innovation project, during Pierre’s twenty-seven minute long speech he presented a very optimistic view on the state of unemployment in the country.

Pierre has gone out of his way to make the youth economy a point of contention and interest in relation to his political career.

Pierre also made headlines after the media launch of the 53^rd Caribbean Development Bank (CBD) to be held in June of this year. Pierre used the term “youth economy” to emphasize the importance of the contribution to be put forward by the younger generation toward the future social and economic development of the Caribbean region.

“Given this large youth demographic, the potential contribution to social and economic development is significant. However, for this potential to be realized, optimal engagement of our youth in the economy is imperative”, Pierre asserted during his speech.

He goes on to say “They possess unmatched levels of innovation and creativity and in them, we can find the solutions to some of our development challenges and emerging opportunities. “

Echoing the speech of fellow MP Shawn Edward, he too argued that the future of qualifications and skill lies in competence in the sector of IT.

He recalls back to a time when the unemployment rates were “exceptionally high” quoting a statistic that claimed 37 to 45% of the younger demographic were considered unemployed.

The current youth unemployment in Saint Lucia currently sits at 25.9% as of the 2023 government report, the lowest it has been since 2010 which is remarkable considering that it was 43.89% in 2020.

While progress has been made, all vested parties are in agreement that more efforts are needed to further reduce unemployment rates.