Graduate jobs fall to 65%

Auleria Wakudumo

Namibia’s higher education sector is facing a growing challenge as more graduates struggle to transition from classrooms into the labour market.

Data presented by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) to the National Council Standing Committee on Education, Science, ICT and Youth Development has revealed a worrying decline in Namibia’s graduate employment rate, which dropped from 83% in 2017 to 65% in 2024.

The decline has raised concerns over whether the higher education system is adequately preparing young Namibians for available economic opportunities.

While access to higher education continues to expand, the challenge is shifting from getting students into institutions to ensuring that graduates leave with skills that match the demands of a changing economy.