GEN Z AND THE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY CRISIS : AN ECONOMIC STUDY ON THE HIGH YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN PALEMBANG CITY

Abstract

This study investigates the phenomenon of unemployment among Generation Z in Palembang, Indonesia. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, the research draws insights from survey data collected through Google Forms and a literature review. This research is a qualitative descriptive study. The study was conducted in Palembang, showing that the majority of Gen Z are unemployed due to lack of experience, mismatch between education and job requirements, and limited access to job training. Open unemployment among Gen Z, especially those aged 15-24 years, tends to increase from year to year, so serious efforts are needed to increase the availability of jobs and job training that suits Gen Z's needs. Unemployment among Generation Z, which is quite widespread, generally stems from different factors depending on the conditions in each region. Specifically in the city of Palembang, most unemployment occurs primarily due to the mismatch between job openings and the capabilities of the majority of Gen Z potential in this city. The available jobs in Palembang still tend to prioritize rigid discipline, while the existing potential is increasingly shifting towards creative abilities. The most evident example is the abundance of general job vacancies, such as sales, administration, service staff, and the like, while many Gen Z individuals in Palembang are becoming more open to roles involving technology, such as content creation, graphic design, photography, and creative writing. This phenomenon needs to be further explored to identify the root causes behind the limited opportunities for Gen Z in Palembang to find suitable employment.