Youth Reproductive Health and Economic Outcomes in South Africa

Oluwaseyi Somefun, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Winfred A. Avogo, Illinois State University

Adolescence is a period of transition and which is further shaped by societal context. South Africa’s labour force participation is low in comparison with the global average, especially among females and youths. There is a high prevalence of risky sexual behaviour resulting in adverse reproductive health outcomes. This study estimates the association between reproductive health outcomes, educational attainment and labour force participation among youths using 2016 South Africa Demographic and Health Surveys and the South Africa labour force survey (2009-2019). Changes in employment during 2009 and 2019 are decomposed using the probit estimations. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between teenage pregnancy and labour force participation. Teenage pregnancy and early fatherhood were found to be a powerful predictor of employability for both males and females. Reduced unwanted pregnancies can lead to an increased proportion of working-age people within the population, with positive outcomes for economic growth.