Modeling labor market performance in sub-Sahara Africa

In this paper, labor market performance in Sub-Sahara Africa has been modeled using convex optimization. Labor market indicators have been adopted as a reliable source of information capable of describing Sub-Sahara Africa labor market condition. We aimed at investigating a set of measures that could explain maximum performance in the labor market using a set of variables categorized as independent (demographic and resource factors), moderating (labor force and its characteristics), intervening (opportunities and qualifications), and dependent (economic attributes and welfare) to model labor market performance. Using linear programming, each category was considered a constraint to labor market performance. Four constraint equations were constructed using factor analysis. The constraints equations were labeled as employment by sector, Labor force participation rate, status on employment, and working poverty. The objective function was determined by fitting a multiple linear regression equation to a set of factors in the constraint equation. The solution revealed that out of the nine selected indicators, only four could explain Sub-Sahara Africa Labor market performance. These were unemployment rate, Labor force participation rate, labor productivity, and working poverty. This predictive model advises anybody concerned with Sub-Sahara Africa labor market on the areas that need more emphasis for realization of maximum performance.