BotswanaYouthSystems Force

Botswana’s rapid economic growth, driven mainly by mineral wealth, contrasts with its high youth unemployment rate of 38.2% in Q1 of 2024, nearly three times the global average of 13% (International Labour Organization [ILO], 2024; Statistics Botswana, 2024). Reflecting regional trends, more than 20% of Southern African youth are not in employment, education, or training (NEET), with Botswana disproportionately affected (African Development Bank. [AfDB], 2024). Using a Systems Thinking approach, this study maps the complex structural, institutional, and socio-cultural forces fueling youth unemployment. Based on 30 interviews across government, parastatals, multilateral agencies, private sector, nonprofits, and academia, 154 forces were identified and organized into nine categories. These informed three systemic archetypes: Living on Old Success vs. Mismanaged Investments, High Dependency and Low Trust, and Centralized Power. Findings reveal why isolated interventions fail and demonstrate the value of Systems Thinking in addressing such complexities. Key policy recommendations include decentralizing decision-making, fostering adaptive innovation ecosystems, and aligning entrepreneurship and education, all with potential relevance beyond Botswana.