Abstract:
In response to escalating youth unemployment challenges globally and particularly in
Burundi, this research investigates the determinants of youth self-employment in
Bujumbura, aiming to identify key shaping entrepreneurial decisions. The study
explores the influence of demographic, socio-economic, and psychological factors on
youth’s pursuit of self-employment. Data were collected from 378 self-employed youth
in Bujumbura using disproportionate stratified and snowball sampling techniques.
Descriptive and Inferential analyses were conducted, including Multiple Linear
Regression and Structural Equation Modelling, utilizing IBM SPSS 25 and SMARTPLS. Demographic analysis revealed that age (β=0.288, P<0.001), education (β=0.009,
P<0.05), and skills (β=0.009, P<0.05) significantly influenced the decision to become
self-employed. Socio-economic factors highlighted the importance of access to
financial resources (β=0.044, P<0.05) and social networks (β=0.238, P<0.001), with
the latter playing a substantial role in influencing self-employment decisions.
Psychological factors emphasized the need for achievement (β=0.897, t=59.832,
p<0.001) and entrepreneurial intention (β=0.048, t=2.201, p<0.05) as a driving force
behind youth self-employment.
