Global Reach: Argentina

EMpower in ARGENTINA

EMpower currently supports work in greater Buenos Aires, peri-urban Corrientes in the northeast, and rural Cholila in Patagonia. Our work focuses on Education and Livelihoods. Youth aged 15-24 constitute nearly 16% of Argentina’s 43 million-person population, the largest youth cohort in Argentina's history.

Issues affecting Youth

Educational inequality and high school drop-out rates

Almost all children in Argentina attend primary school, however, in 2013 just 50% of youth had completed upper secondary school. Grade repetition and drop-out is common among youth from low socioeconomic backgrounds, who also generally attend the poorest quality schools. Out of 64 countries, Argentine 15-year olds ranked 58th in math, 60th in reading and 57th in science. Low quality schools and educators are especially common in rural areas, meaning that low-income students who are likely to drop out have increased risk and higher likelihood of unemployment, perpetuating the cycle of poverty.

High youth unemployment

Among the biggest economic challenges facing Argentina today are the rising informality of employment, high rates of youth unemployment and a lack of education and training opportunities for youth. Argentina’s youth unemployment rate is 19%, compared to a national rate of 7%, and one-third of the Argentine population is engaged in the informal sector, meaning they are most likely doing low-paid work without job security.

Our Approach to tackling the Issues

EMpower supports local organizations that:

• train youth in the methodology of Street Football to engage young people to stay in school and to serve as role models to combat bullying and aggressive behavior
• create linkages between education and livelihoods, as many students drop out because work interferes with school (employability, technical and entrepreneurship training which relate education to the labor market)
• improve relevance of secondary school curricula, particularly in rural areas; this includes incorporating agro-technical, life skills and employability training

Other countries in Latin America:

• Brazil
• Colombia
• Mexico
• Peru