Azerbaijan, Baku / Trend / The level of unemployment in Azerbaijan exceeds 6%. More than 51,000 people have been officially registered as unemployed in the Country whilst 4.3mln of the population are able to work. The actual unemployment statistics in Azerbaijan exceeds the data by the State Statistics Committee. The difference is linked with the issue that the State Statistics Committee takes into consideration only officially registered unemployed people.
Some 70% from the total number of unemployed are under 35 years of age whilst the highest is between 20 and 24 years of age.
Azerbaijani citizens, particularly university graduates, seek employment within their fields but unfortunately find that there are more candidates than vacancies. The main reason is due to the fact that currently universities are functioning to suit their own interests in Azerbaijan. Currently, universities in Azerbaijan seek to draw as many students as they can for their own interests. The choice of a profession mainly depends on the university's popularity.
Some 40 to 60% of graduates in European countries have been provided with jobs, while in Azerbaijan this figure is 5-7%. We should increase the level of education in Azerbaijani universities and train them in fields of expertise that are needed. There is a necessity to introduce new professional standards to meet international standards and to solve the existing problem.
The number of unemployed in Azerbaijan may increase due to the country joining the World Trade Organization. It is therefore necessary to take immediate action to prevent any crisis.
(Leyla Abdullayeva - expert of Trend Analytic Center)