Youth in Gaza turn to unorthodox methods to cope with economic collapse

Gaza’s Youth Turn to Innovation Amid Unemployment Crisis

In the Gaza Strip, a growing number of young people are turning to innovation as a means of coping with high unemployment rates and economic instability. The region has been facing significant challenges, including Israel’s blockade, repeated ceasefire violations, and the near-total collapse of its local economy.

Many Palestinians in Gaza have struggled to find stable employment opportunities due to infrastructure destruction and the paralysis of productive sectors resulting from Israel’s actions. As a result, residents are forced to seek alternative ways to survive. Hala Mohammed al-Maghrabi, a 24-year-old nurse who graduated in 2023, has taken an unconventional approach to her career.

After volunteering in the healthcare sector for two years, al-Maghrabi shifted her focus to social media marketing and e-commerce, working online to generate a modest income. She began by taking design courses during her hospital training and later pursued marketing courses to promote herself effectively. Al-Maghrabi’s experience is not unique, as many young people in Gaza are facing similar challenges.

According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, the overall unemployment rate in Gaza is 69 percent, with a significant portion of 15- to 29-year-olds facing even higher rates of around 80 percent. The population under 30 accounts for approximately 70 percent of Gaza’s residents, making it a particularly challenging demographic.

The economic collapse in Gaza has had far-reaching consequences, including the contraction of GDP by more than 82 percent due to Israel’s ongoing war and destruction of economic infrastructure. Around 80 percent of the population relies on international aid due to food insecurity and loss of income sources.

In response to these challenges, some Palestinians have turned to innovation as a means of survival. Mohammed al-Hajj, who previously worked in general trade and food supplies, converted part of his property into a small workspace equipped with an internet connection after his business model was destroyed by the war. Ahmed Fares Abu Zayed, CEO of Abu Zayed General Trading, has also found innovative solutions to support students and engineers working online.

As traditional employment structures continue to collapse, innovation is becoming increasingly important for young people in Gaza seeking to rebuild their economic activity and secure a stable future.

Source: Al Jazeera