Across the Pacific, youth unemployment is regarded
by governments, donors and citizens as one of
the region’s key concerns, not only because of its
effect on economic advancement, but also because
of a perceived association between joblessness and
insecurity, including the prospect of youth-driven
crime and violence.
Over the last two decades, increased scholarly
attention has been paid to the link between youth
unemployment and issues of social instability, most
famously heralded by Henrik Urdal and his ‘youth
bulge’ theory (2004). While issues of causation can
be difficult to assess, the Pacific, particularly Melanesia,
has seen this narrative take place in tandem
with, or because of, rapid urbanisation which has
been characterised by a growing cohort of unemployed
or underemployed, urban youth. This scenario
has been particularly true for Honiara, the
capital of Solomon Islands.