-As 3,752 Youths Sign up for 1,000 Cadet Slots
MONROVIA, Liberia – More than 3,700 young Liberians applied for 1,000 positions in the National Cadet Program, highlighting the country’s deepening youth unemployment crisis. The Ministry of Youth and Sports released the figure in its first 100-day performance report. The statistic shows a ratio of nearly four applicants for every available slot.
Youth and Sports Minister Cornelia W. Kruah acknowledged the overwhelming demand during a 100-day accountability press conference. “The demand alone shows that our young people are looking for opportunities,” Kruah said. The cadet program serves as a gateway for young Liberians seeking entry into government institutions. It provides professional experience and long-term employment prospects for many participants.
Liberia has one of the youngest populations in Africa. Approximately 75 percent of Liberians are under age 35. The government declared a national youth emergency in 2023, citing unemployment, limited education, poverty, and social vulnerabilities.
The Ministry’s nationwide assessment found that young people across all 15 counties report similar complaints.
These include shuttered vocational institutions, underfunded youth centers, inadequate sports facilities, limited technical training, and scarce employment opportunities. Rural communities face more severe challenges. Many young people outside Monrovia lack clear pathways from education to meaningful employment. They often turn to informal work, migrate to urban centers, or remain unemployed for extended periods.
The government has increased investment in youth-focused initiatives in response to the crisis. The Ministry reports that approximately US$4 million has been allocated through the National Youth Pathway Program. The funds support scholarships, literacy initiatives, vocational training, youth grants, vacation employment, entrepreneurship projects, and peacebuilding activities.
Authorities have also reopened several dormant technical and vocational institutions. The Monrovia Vocational Training Center is now operating again. New partnerships aim to expand agricultural and technical skills training. Despite these efforts, demand continues to outpace available opportunities. For every young Liberian who secured a cadet position, nearly three others did not.
The 3,752 applicants represent a generation eager to work, acquire skills, and build careers. However, the Liberian economy struggles to absorb its youthful workforce. Observers say the central challenge moving forward is no longer simply creating youth programs. The challenge is creating opportunities at a scale that matches the aspirations of an entire generation.
