Visakhapatnam Leads YouthPOWER Rankings

Introduction to YouthPOWER Rankings

The Andhra Pradesh State Handbook of Youth Opportunity was recently unveiled, assessing all 26 districts across five parameters—participation, opportunity, work, education, and readiness, or skilling. This comprehensive handbook is based on nearly 180 indicators drawn from 27 government databases, providing a detailed insight into the state of youth opportunity in Andhra Pradesh.

Among the State’s 26 districts, Visakhapatnam recorded the highest YouthPOWER score of 55, indicating its strong performance in the five assessed parameters. This achievement is a testament to the district's efforts in providing opportunities for its youth.

Key Findings of the YouthPOWER Rankings

While Andhra Pradesh’s schools rank among the best in the country, and a large number of youth pursue higher education compared to many States, the handbook states that the State has struggled to convert these advantages into secure, well-paid employment for its youth, particularly for graduates. This disparity highlights the need for a more focused approach to addressing the challenges faced by the state's youth.

According to the report, youth unemployment in the State is at 16.2%, even though 46.4% of young people are part of the labour force. Nearly 28.4% are neither employed, studying, nor undergoing training. The labour force participation rate among young women is considerably lower at 29.7%. These statistics underscore the urgency of addressing the issues of employment and labour force participation in the state.

The handbook identifies two areas for urgent attention: employment for graduates, and getting more women into the workforce. These areas require targeted interventions to ensure that the state's youth can access better opportunities and contribute to the state's economic growth.

Gains and Challenges in Andhra Pradesh

The handbook also lists the State’s gains. Child and adult nutrition indicators improved even as they worsened in the median State over the same period. Over the past eight years, young workers have steadily moved from agriculture to services, trade, hospitality, and construction. This shift indicates a positive trend in the state's economy and the diversification of its workforce.

Access to banking and digital connectivity among young women has also expanded faster than in any other State surveyed. What has not kept pace, the report argues, is the quality and security of employment on offer. This disparity highlights the need for a more focused approach to addressing the challenges faced by the state's youth and ensuring that they have access to better employment opportunities.

Call to Action for Stakeholders

Speaking at the launch, Visakhapatnam MP M. Sribharat, and president GITAM Deemed to be University, who released the handbook called for closer coordination between education, skilling, and industry. This call to action emphasizes the need for stakeholders to work together to address the challenges faced by the state's youth and ensure that they have access to better opportunities.

“Universities and skilling institutions must understand the needs of local industries, while employers should know where skilled talent is being nurtured. If we can build and constantly update that information system at the district level, we can tailor our teaching and training to align with the available opportunities,” he said. This statement highlights the importance of collaboration and coordination between stakeholders to address the challenges faced by the state's youth.

Future of India Foundation Executive Director Ruchi Gupta pointed to elected representatives as a lever for change. This statement emphasizes the critical role that elected representatives can play in driving change and addressing the challenges faced by the state's youth.

Visakhapatnam’s Performance in the YouthPOWER Rankings

The handbook noted that Visakhapatnam’s labour market leans heavily towards formal employment. Around 60% of workers hold regular salaried jobs, nearly three times the 21% recorded in a typical district. Value added per worker, a measure of how productive local enterprises, stands at roughly ₹1.79 lakh against ₹1.42 lakh typically. These statistics indicate Visakhapatnam's strong performance in the labour market and its potential for growth.

The district also fares well on education. Only 15% of young women aged 15 to 21 were out of education, against 33% typically, and 41% of Class 9 students met grade-level standards in mathematics, against 35% elsewhere. These statistics highlight the district's commitment to education and its potential for growth.

Conclusion and Future Directions

The unveiling event was organised by the Future of India Foundation at GITAM Deemed to be University. This event marked an important milestone in the state's efforts to address the challenges faced by its youth and ensure that they have access to better opportunities.

• The Andhra Pradesh State Handbook of Youth Opportunity assesses 26 districts across five parameters.
• Visakhapatnam recorded the highest YouthPOWER score of 55.
• Youth unemployment in the State is at 16.2%.
• The labour force participation rate among young women is considerably lower at 29.7%.

Key Figures:

• 55: Visakhapatnam’s YouthPOWER score.
• 16.2%: Youth unemployment in the State.
• 46.4%: Young people part of the labour force.
• 28.4%: Neither employed, studying, nor undergoing training.
• 29.7%: Labour force participation rate among young women.