In recent announcements, Mahmoud Karimi Biranvand, Vice President of Entrepreneurship and Employment Development in Iran’s Ministry of Cooperation, Labor, and Social Welfare, reported a two percent decline in the unemployment rate among individuals with university education.
However, conflicting statistics and statements from other officials have raised questions about the accuracy of these claims. Discrepancies emerge when comparing this statement with available statistics on the employment status of those with higher education.
Karimi Biranvand asserted that over the last two years, the unemployment rate for university graduates had dropped from 13.8% to 11.4%. He highlighted a significant difference between the unemployment rates of university graduates and the overall unemployed population, reaching 3.5%. He further stated that 41.5% of the approximately two million unemployed individuals in Iran were university graduates.
Contrary to these claims, Taha Ramezani, the director general of the employment policy and development office of the Ministry of Cooperation, Labor, and Social Welfare, presented separate statistics on November 22, 2023. Ramezani disclosed that the unemployment rate for male graduates stood at 8.1%, while female graduates faced a higher rate exceeding 20%.
Ramezani attributed the challenge of unemployment among the educated to unfavorable conditions within the country’s employment landscape, noting a shortage of labor in the production sector. He highlighted the discrepancy between the demand for labor in certain provinces and the reluctance of the educated workforce to engage in jobs outside their educational qualifications.
However, a report from the ISNA news agency on January 13, 2023, indicated that 49% of job seekers possessed a university degree, challenging the notion that educated individuals are reluctant to enter the job market. This data suggests that while a substantial portion of young Iranians aims to secure employment during or after their studies, the issue may lie in the mismatch between their educational qualifications and the job opportunities available.
The population with higher education in Iran has surged 14 times in four decades. Yet, during the past two decades, challenges in the production sector and the weakening position of private economic groups have hampered the growth of the labor market in proportion to the increase in graduates.
The Higher Education Research and Planning Institute highlighted varying employment chances for graduates, with medical sciences boasting a 63% chance, humanities at 45%, and technical and engineering fields at 41%. Conversely, arts, basic sciences, and agriculture reported the lowest employment statistics.
Despite these figures providing insights into Iran’s labor market, the increasing desire to engage in unconventional jobs challenges the congruence between statistics and ground realities. This suggests that the labor market has not adapted adequately to leverage the expertise of university graduates.
Another critical aspect contributing to the rising unemployment rates among graduates is the impracticality of Iran’s educational structure. Many individuals, despite obtaining degrees, find themselves equipped with theoretical knowledge but lacking practical skills in their respective fields.
Considering the growing inclination towards migration among educated individuals, it becomes evident that obtaining a university degree is increasingly viewed as a means to enhance prospects for emigration. Pursuing employment through a university degree is no longer the primary priority for Iran’s young society, reflecting a broader societal shift in aspirations and goals.
