Idiosyncratic covariates of unemployment duration in Ghana: The joint effect of migration and education

Abstract

Underpinned by the human capital theory of migration, this study examines the drivers of unemployment duration in Ghana with a special focus on migration and education. This study employs semiparametric Cox regression and Cox proportional hazard models. Using a sample of 575 individuals in eight districts in Ghana, the study concludes that age, locality, social networks, alternative income sources, migration and education are significant factors influencing individual-specific unemployment duration in Ghana. Also, the joint effect of education and migration status reduces unemployment duration. The study encourages the youth to take up voluntary services and other forms of industry attachments to build labour market experience. Again, the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations should develop and implement industrial attachment and internship programmes as well as create equal job opportunities in rural areas to prevent rural–urban migration.