Youths' Contribution to Household Welfare in Rural Areas

Rural households are faced with low purchasing power, poor food consumption, and poor general well-being. Youths are economically active, which could contribute to reducing these problems and improving rural development. However, the extent to which youths contribute to improving rural household welfare has gained little attention. Thus, this study assessed youths' contributions to household welfare and the factors influencing their contributions to household welfare. Data were collected from 180 youths using a structured questionnaire and then subjected to descriptive and multiple regression statistical analysis. The findings revealed that youths contribute significantly to rural households' welfare. The monthly income, access to credit, association membership, gender, age, and access to remittances are responsible for the level of youths' contributions to household welfare. The challenges that prevent youths' contribution to household welfare in rural areas were poor government support, poor credit facilities, unemployment, lack of access to business information and lack of training opportunities and vocational programmes. Government support to rural youths through the provision of grants and loans as start-up capital is needed to empower youths to contribute to their household welfare. Also, youths should be encouraged to go for vocational training to acquire a skill that could be a vehicle for a source of income.