Abstract: This study reveals how educated unemployment, fueled by job rejection because of waiting for a good occupation, creates a paradox of waiting labor, stalling economic productivity while perpetuating skill wastage. Without intervention, this ‘waiting trap’ risks long-term structural unemployment and economic stagnation
A study examines the paradox of educated unemployment driven by voluntary job rejection a phenomenon where skilled laborers await 'ideal' opportunities while productive capacity stagnates
Purpose: Unemployment has been a theme for numerous studies, and the latest debate: this paper explores how educated people reject job available for waiting for a good job and which finally affects individuals and the economy, bringing worse economic performance
This study explores the phenomenon of educated unemployment and its consequences, underpinned by human capital theory and job search theory, to examine why individuals with academic qualifications remain jobless. while waiting for better opportunities ahead.
This study employs a qualitative research design, since the study uses interviews, talks to unemployed educated individuals, and business owners to investigate their perceptions and expectations, and struggles. since interviews came to be more firmly grounded in the qualitative realm of research. The 1960s and 1970s saw researchers engaging in methodological discussions about different aspects of interviews as contextually and socially situated speech events, including researcher positionality and the power dynamics between interviewer and interviewee (Karatsareas 2022) Findings reveal that educated individuals fall into the hope trap of believing in a psychological state that one day they will attain their dream occupation soon, and suffer financial instability and depression while waiting, finally disappointed as they expect a better job. The study hypothesizes that the need for labor market reforms must address three mentality gaps. (1) occupational prestige hierarchies, (2) unrealistic salary expectations, and (3) family pressures enforcing acceptable job norms. and education reform, and policies that should bridge the gaps in educated individuals.
Implications for research and practice, the funding provide opportunities for policymakers and individuals to collaborate with officials (government) to develop strategies that will enhance the mindset, Future Studies may investigate offer government responsible Escalating unemployment in educated individuals other than mindset of waiting and expecting good occupation despite betterment in economic / despite human and economic enhancement.
Keywords: educated unemployment, job rejection, waiting trap, labor market mismatch, Human Capital Underutilization Economic Consequence.
Title: WAITING FOR BETTER WHILE DOING NOTHING: EDUCATED UNEMPLOYMENT AND ITS ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCE
Author: Mr. Olivier UWAMBAJIMANA
International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research
ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)
Vol. 13, Issue 4, October 2025 - December 2025
Page No: 542-551
Research Publish Journals
Website: www.researchpublish.com
Published Date: 03-December-2025
