Diffley Partnership’s Post

The 2024 Social Enterprise Census survey is live. The Social Enterprise Census is a regular and comprehensive account of social enterprise activity in Scotland, reporting on the scale, reach and contribution of social enterprises across the country and profiling the organisations that make up our sector. It’s crucial that as many voices contribute to this study as possible. Dedicate 15-20 minutes to complete the survey and share information about the needs of your organisation. Your input will help inform policy, funding, and support, while also highlighting the impact of the sector in your area. If your organisation has social and/or environmental goals and generates income, then take part in the survey and contribute to this vital source of knowledge about our sector. Get involved ➡ https://lnkd.in/e4-9h3tj

📢The 2024 Social Enterprise Census survey is live. The Social Enterprise Census is a regular and comprehensive account of social enterprise activity in Scotland, reporting on the scale, reach and contribution of social enterprises across the country and profiling the organisations that make up our sector. It’s crucial that as many voices contribute to this study as possible. Dedicate 15-20 minutes to complete the survey and share information about the needs of your organisation. Your input will help inform policy, funding, and support, while also highlighting the impact of the sector in your area. If your organisation has social and/or environmental goals and generates income, then take part in the survey and contribute to this vital source of knowledge about our sector. Get involved ➡ https://lnkd.in/e4-9h3tj #socialenterprisescotland

📢 Calling all Scottish social enterprises! Have you completed the Social Enterprise Census survey? The Social Enterprise Census is a regular and comprehensive account of social enterprise activity in Scotland, reporting on the scale, reach and contribution of social enterprises across the country and profiling the organisations that make up our sector. It’s crucial that as many voices contribute to this study as possible. Please dedicate 15-20 minutes to complete the survey and share information about the needs of your organisation. Your input will help inform policy, funding, and support, while also highlighting the impact of the sector in your area. If your organisation has social and/or environmental goals and generates income, then take part in the survey and contribute to this vital source of knowledge about our sector. Get involved ➡ https://lnkd.in/e4-9h3tj

Youth Takeover – 2,1m of population under 35: … The country hits three million population mark with many flocking to the city The Namibia Statistics Agency’s statistician general, Alex Shimuafeni, says Namibia’s population of three million mainly comprises 2,1 million young people, as experts predict continued youth unemployment, poverty and inequality. Shimuafeni said this yesterday while announcing the preliminary results of the 2023 Housing and Population Census (HPC), revealing that the country’s population increased from 2,1 million in 2011 to three million in 2023. “Namibia has a youthful population and a narrow apex, representing a relatively small proportion of elderly people,” he said. The statistics show that 71,1% of the people in the country are under 35 years old, while 56,1% comprise the working class of between 15 and 59 years old, and 6,8% of the country’s population is 60 years and older. “The figures further show that Namibia’s population has been increasing since the 1991 census – from 1,4 million to 3 022 401 in 2023, representing an increase of 114,4% over a period of 32 years,” Shimuafeni said. Labour expert Sydwill Scholtz yesterday said the high employment rate in the country, coupled with a bigger youthful population is not ideal. “Our current population consists of 71% youth, who are either new in the job market or have been in the market for a short period, and with the high unemployment rate, this is not an ideal situation,” he said. He called for the creation of entrepreneurship opportunities for young people, as this would allow them to diversify their income streams. “I am excited on the one hand for the achievement of this milestone, but the pear-shaped economy brings with it the inexperienced youth to enter or develop the economy. “This requires structures in place to teach them how to deal with their finances and their taxes specifically to ensure the economy is boosted,” Scholtz said. KHOMAS STILL MOST POPULATED Speaking at the announcement, Shimuafeni said the capital Khomas region remains the most populated, with 494 605 people, while the Omaheke region remains the least populated, with 102 881 people. The number of households tripled from 254 389 in 1991 to around 756 400 in 2023. “The average household size has been declining, with the lowest recorded in the 2023 census year with 3,8 people per household,” Shimuafeni said. He said the female population outnumbered the male population with 1 548 177 females and 1 474 224 males in the country. “There were more females than males in Namibia, both in urban and rural areas in 2023. The trend is similar at regional level, except for the //Kharas, Erongo, Hardap, Kunene and Otjozondjupa regions, which recorded slightly more males than females. “Similarly, a significant number of males (52,8%) were recorded in the Omaheke region, compared to females (47,2%),” he…

Namibia’s Population Dynamics: Opportunities and Challenges: If you tell someone from Nigeria, Ethiopia or Egypt that your country’s population increased from 2,1 million in 2011 to three million in 2023, they would most likely say “so what?” For them, three million people is but a drop in the ocean. In Egypt, 22 million live in the capital, Cairo – where I stayed for five years in the 1980s. The country’s population itself is 111 million. Is Namibia’s population growth a boon or bane? “Population growth in Africa will place an increasing strain on the availability of water, throwing up some potentially frightening scenarios, including the rise of water mafias,” Samantha Spooner wrote in The Namibian a few years ago. ‘UNDER PRESSURE’ For some Namibians, the one million increase seems to be a bane. For context, let’s tease out a few newspaper headlines. “The country hits three million population mark with many flocking to the city”; “Namibia’s growing population strains healthcare”; “More people, more problems – regions, local authorities respond to latest census results”. Even some analysts and scholars have shifted into ‘alarmist’ mode, The Namibian among them. This comes from a recent editorial: “But anyone keen on economics and social progression will know that the country is sitting on multiple time bombs.” An article by Celina Awala, ‘Population Growth: The Implications for Land Tenure and Food Security in Communal Areas’, argues that “specifically the recently released figures show a population increase in the four north-central regions which are largely covered by the communal land tenure system. This … means an increase in competing interests in resources, including land.” Research analyst Angelique Bock says the predominance of young people puts pressure on social services – education, healthcare and social welfare. Political analyst Henning Melber says the marked population increase is a challenge when it comes to employment and social sector expenditure.   Others are a bit upbeat. Labour expert Herbert Jauch says “population growth with so many young people presents an opportunity to have a skilled workforce that could transform the economy in terms of increasing productive activities”. However, he says, it would require a good foundational education system, coupled with opportunities for specialisation at post-school level. But there is a caveat. Jauch says an increased youthful population would lead to more tensions as young people would “not accept a situation offering them no hope”. HIGHS AND LOWS The question of large populations and their relationship to economic growth and development has bedevilled economists for decades, if not centuries. They still don’t have the answer. Some Namibian economists support the positive correlation between high population growth and a high per capita growth. They contend, for example, that…

The Balkan Barometer/Albania marks the highest regional level of unemployment in 2024 This year, INSTAT has not published any indicators related to employment in the country, due to the matching of the Labor Force Survey with the new population data from the 2023 Census. But data from the Balkan Barometer 2024 survey showed a high unemployment rate among respondents in Albania. Out of 1000 respondents, 20% were unemployed in our country, the highest regional level and by far from the others. The regional average of unemployment among respondents was 11%. The lowest level of unemployment resulted in Kosovo 4%, Serbia with 7%, Montenegro 9%, North Macedonia 13% and Bosnia, 11%. Among the respondents, Albania also had 15% self-employment, the highest level in the Region, therefore we have the lowest percentage of salaried employees. In 1000 people questioned in our country, 39% of them were salaried employees, Kosovo had the highest level of salaried employees with 65% of the respondents, Serbia with 54%, Bosnia with 52, North Macedonia with 48% and Montenegro with 52%. Of the 6 Western Balkan countries, a large percentage in North Macedonia (21%) and Serbia (28%) were pensioners. In the quarterly reviews of the economy's progress, the Bank of Albania, through alternative data, referred to slower employment growth in 2024. Survey indicators show that business expectations for employment have decreased during the first quarter, while the situation is estimated to have improved during the second quarter of the current year. The employment indicator will probably experience the strongest change from the new 2023 Census data. The working age population of 15-64 years has decreased significantly in the period between the two censuses 2011-2023 according to INSTAT data. Preliminary data from the results of the 2023 census show that the working-age population was 1,555,080 people, from 1,903,987 with a decrease of 18.3% compared to the data of the 2011 census. The reduction of the working-age population will reduce the indicators of the degree of laziness in Albania and will significantly change the indicators of employment. At the end of 2023, 1,243,085 people aged 15-64 were officially employed, which make up 80% of the working-age population./ Monitor

#ICYMI | UGANDA'S POPULATION SOARS BY 11.3M AS GROWTH RATE PLUMMETS – UBOS Ugandas population has reached 45.9 million people, according to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS). This was revealed Thursday, June 27, 2024, by UBOS Executive Director and Census Commissioner, Dr Chris Mukiza while disseminating the Preliminary Results of National Population and Housing Census 2024 at Serena Hotel in Kampala. We now have a population of 45,935,046 people up from 34.6 million counted in 2014,' said Dr Mukiza. of these, 22 million people are males while 23 million are females. He said this represents an increase of 11.3 million in the last 10 years and includes 780,061 refugees. According to Dr Mukiza, Uganda is a young country with; 50.5% being children (0-17 years), 22.7% Youth (18-30 years), 5.0% Older persons (60+) and 55.6% Working Age Population (14-64 years). For More, Open Link: https://lnkd.in/eTZHndwY Government of Uganda Government Citizen Interaction Centre (GCIC Uganda) Parliament of Uganda Judiciary Uganda Uganda Local Governments Association (ULGA) Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) Federation of Uganda Employers Federation of Small & Medium Enterprises-Uganda National Social Security Fund Uganda Retirement Benefits Regulatory Authority Capital Markets Authority- Uganda UGANDA SECURITIES EXCHANGE Uganda Bankers' Association Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services Uganda Bank of Uganda IRA UGANDA Quartz & Richmond Foundation Limited Uganda Law Reform Commission Uganda Law Society - LAP Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) CEO East Africa Magazine Uganda Chamber of Mines and Petroleum ICPAU (Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda) Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Makerere University Uganda Registration Services Bureau Ideation Corner HiPipo

The world’s largest employment guarantee program — India’s Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS)— contains learnings that could serve as a roadmap for other countries with similar demographics. Drawing from a Dalberg report, our Swetha Totapally recaps MGNREGS’ impact and gaps. Via AVPN. https://bit.ly/3WPaVOm #MGNREGS #India

I was happy to attend the launch of the Namibian Population and Housing Census main report at Country Club (30.10.2024) The report showed that Namibia's population under 34 years of age is around 2.1 Million (0-14 *1.1 Mil, 15-34 *1.0 Mil) and then population above 60 years is a mere *261000 something. The group held power, and they recycled themselves in positions to eat until the last breath. Unemployment is high, and with this young generation, we need to proactively plan for the future of this generation! Countries like Namibia, with a young population, face several challenges, including: 1. High Demand for Education and Training: A young population means a large number of children and youth requiring education, vocational training, and skills development. Limited resources and infrastructure can make it challenging to provide quality education to all. 2. Youth Unemployment: Many young people entering the job market lead to increased competition for limited jobs, especially in rural areas. This can result in high youth unemployment, leading to social and economic issues. 3. Economic Dependence: A young population often includes many dependents under 18 years, increasing the dependency ratio. This places economic pressure on the working-age population to support a large group of non-working citizens, potentially slowing down economic development. 4. Urbanization and Housing Demand: As young people move to urban areas seeking employment or education, there is often a shortage of affordable housing and infrastructure in cities, leading to overcrowded areas and informal settlements. 5. Social Issues and Crime: Without proper education, employment opportunities, or youth development programs, some young people may turn to crime or experience social challenges, including substance abuse. 6. Political and Social Instability: A young, unemployed, and undereducated population can lead to frustration and dissatisfaction, sometimes resulting in social unrest. Managing these issues through policies that promote job creation, economic growth, and youth empowerment is essential. Addressing these challenges requires investment in education, healthcare, job creation, infrastructure including sports and arts, and policies tailored to meet the needs of a young and dynamic population. To the young generation, the ball is in your hands and the 27th of November should be your deciding date for what future, Namibia and a life you need! Vote wise.

POPULATION GROWTH, AN EMERGING ECONOMIC HURDLE. THREAD: Uganda is often hailed for its youthful and dynamic population although it is likely to find itself grappling with a new economic challenge: rapid population growth. With a population that is expanding at one of the fastest rates in the world, Uganda’s economy faces a complex predicament—how to translate this rising demographic pressure into an opportunity for development rather than a hurdle. The population is growing at an alarming rate, with an annual growth rate of approximately 3.3%. According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), Uganda’s population was estimated at 45.9 million in the recent census up from 34.6 million in 2014. This rapid increase is attributed to high fertility rate, which stands at 4.7 children per woman, significantly above the global average of 2.4 and other factors. This bears economic implications. The pressure on public services and infrastructure being notable. It looks like trying to fit more and more people into a small boat. At first, it might seem manageable, but as the boat becomes overcrowded, it starts to tip, and everyone on board feels the strain. Similarly, Uganda’s rapid population growth is putting immense pressure on public services and infrastructure. The education sector, for example, is struggling to cope with the increasing number of children. The pupil-to-teacher ratio in primary schools is about 46:1 as of 2023. This is almost twice the recommended ratio of 25:1. The healthcare system is in the same strain, with only 1 doctor per 14,000 people as reported by Ministry of Health. This is far below the World Health Organization’s recommendation of at least 2.5 doctors per 1,000 people. Youth unemployment. Like a balloon that is continuously being inflated. The more air that’s added, the tighter and more strained the balloon becomes, until it reaches a point where it could burst. Uganda’s young population, with over 78% under the age of 30, is like that balloon. Without sufficient job opportunities, the pressure builds, leading to frustration and potential social unrest. Over time, youth unemployment in Uganda remains glaringly high at 13.3%, with many young people working in low-paying, informal jobs. Each year, around 700,000 young Ugandans enter the job market, but the formal economy only creates about 90,000 jobs annually. This needs over 400000 jobs to be created annually to be contained. No doubt, the rising population has contributed to environmental degradation. Picture a candle burning at both ends. While it provides light for a while, it quickly burns out, leaving darkness behind. Uganda’s population growth is like this candle, increasing consumption of natural resources and leading to environmental degradation. Uganda’s forest cover has decreased by 14% between 2000 and 2023 due to deforestation for agriculture and settlements.