On the occasion of the celebration of the 60th edition of the Youth Day, several young leaders from different backgrounds made their voices heard. This is the case of Dr. Nwehla Bahel Yves, who presented a reflection entitled: “The forgotten ones of the job market: The distress of young people over 40”.
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For him, “We constantly talk about youth unemployment. But who talks about those who are over 40 and are now seen as ‘too old’ workers?” The question is disturbing, but it deserves to be asked.
In Cameroon, public debate focuses most of its attention on youth, leaving in the shadows another vulnerable segment of the active population: those over 40 who are gradually and silently excluded from the job market.
Closed doors in the civil service.
“Experience should be a national asset. It has become an administrative handicap,” notes the author.
The formal labor market remains narrow. According to data from the National Institute of Statistics, the number of permanent jobs in companies increased by only 2.5% in 2024, a slower pace than in 2023. This modest growth reflects the persistent difficulty in accessing stable positions in the formal economy.
In the civil service, competitive examinations still impose strict age limits. “At 42 or 45, even with twenty years of experience, you are administratively out of the game,” he laments. No specific retraining policy is really offered to these experienced profiles, unlike the schemes intended for young people.
In November 2025, the government announced an envelope of 17.7 billion CFA francs for the “One Youth, One Trade, One Job” program, aimed at promoting the professional integration of young people.
“Investing in youth is legitimate. But investing only in youth creates a divide,” emphasizes Dr. NWEHLA BAHEL YVES.
Other initiatives, such as the Business Plan Competition or the Youth Economic Inclusion Program, primarily target 18-35 year olds. “This exclusive targeting accentuates a glaring imbalance,” he insists. Those over 40 are thus excluded from institutional support mechanisms.
Private sector
The private sector is not immune to this logic. “The expression ‘young professional’ has become an invisible filter,” analyzes the author. Several job postings published in 2025-2026 explicitly targeted young profiles or programs reserved for recent graduates.
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This trend leads to age discrimination. “It’s not said openly, but with equal skills, preference is given to the younger one,” he states. Experienced workers find themselves marginalized despite their know-how.
Faced with these barriers, many turn to the informal economy, which is now dominant. “The informal sector has become the last bastion of survival,” observes Dr. NWEHLA BAHEL YVES.
However, this sector is characterized by the absence of formal contracts, social protection, and income stability. The lack of national unemployment insurance exacerbates precariousness: “Losing your job in Cameroon means falling without a safety net.”
Vulnerability of women
Women over 40, especially single mothers, are among the most affected. “They face both age and gender discrimination,” denounces the author.
Due to a lack of formal opportunities, many resort to informal small businesses, street vending, or other subsistence activities. Statistics also show a persistent gap in women’s participation in the formal labor market.
A blind spot in public debate
While the youth unemployment rate is around 35% in 2025, attracting media and political attention, the situation of those over 40 remains poorly documented and rarely debated. “We have created a hierarchy of social emergencies,” believes Dr. NWEHLA BAHEL YVES. “But one injustice is not corrected by creating another.”
For the author, ignoring this reality means weakening the country’s productive potential. “A nation that marginalizes its experience weakens its competitiveness.”
In conclusion, he issues a call: “It is time to broaden our perspective. Employment policy should not pit generations against each other, but bring them together. Because development cannot be inclusive if it leaves by the wayside those who still have so much to offer.”
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