Figure 1.3 Evolution of the Angolan Population and Labor Force over Time (in millions of people) 45
70%
40
60%
Million People
35
60+
50%
50 to 59
25
40%
40 to 49
20
30%
30
30 to 39
15
10 to 19
10%
0 to 9
10 5 0
20 to 29
20%
0%
% 15 to 64
Source: Adapted from UN 2010.
While the overall unemployment rate is at 25 percent, Angola’s skilled-labor market is very tight; the labor force’s mean years of education is 4.4 years, in line with that of other countries with low human development (4.2 years). Minimum wage is $127 a month, and the average wage is $211 per month in a country whose capital is the second-most expensive city in the world (Mercer 2012). Table 1.2 presents a snapshot of Angola’s labor market in comparison to select countries. Table 1.2 Angola’s Labor Force Indicators Compared to Select Countries, 2010 Educational attainment (% of total)
Labor force (million) Angola Australia
Primary
Secondary
Mean years of education
Tertiary
7.1
—
—
—
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force)
Minimum wage ($ per month)
4.4
127
25
11.8
27.3
38.9
33.8
12
1,597
5.2
101.6
—
—
—
7.2
300
8.3
19.0
13.5
40
46.5
12.1
1,903
8
8.8
—
—
—
10.4
—
6.6
Malaysia
12.0
18.3
56
21.1
9.5
—
3.7
Norway
2.6
19.9
43.5
35.8
12.6
3,609
3.6
South Africa
18.2
15.8
74.2
5.2
8.5
543
23.8
Tanzania
22.1
—
—
—
5.1
59
10.7
0.7
25.3
63
11.1
9.2
—
5.38
Uganda
13.4
—
—
—
4.7
3
4.2
United Kingdom
31.8
19.2
44.4
35.4
9.3
1,655
7.8
Brazil Canada Kazakhstan
Trinidad and Tobago
Source: Based on data from World Bank Group 2012; UNDP 2010. Note: Educational attainment data for Australia, Canada, Malaysia, South Africa, and Trinidad and Tobago are from 2008; unemployment data for Brazil, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, South Africa, and Uganda from 2009. — Not available. 1.1.4 Education
Finding a skilled workforce is a challenge in Angola, partly due to a weak educational system that suffers from low enrollment rates. While enrollment in primary education is relatively low, enrollment in tertiary education
17