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Thousands of hopeful applicants lined up in an examination centre in Sierra Leone this week to sit for the highly competitive police recruitment exam. The turnout widely seen as a reflection of the country’s deepening unemployment crisis.
In Freetown, large crowds gathered from the early hours, with many candidates expressing hope that securing a position in the Sierra Leone Police Force would offer them long-awaited job security.
Observers say the overwhelming number of applicants signifies the growing frustration among young people unable to find meaningful employment, despite having completed tertiary or vocational education.
“This is not just about people wanting to serve as police officers,” said one analyst. “It’s also a desperate attempt to escape joblessness and poverty.”
With the unemployment rate, especially among youth, continuing to climb, government job openings, no matter how limited, are increasingly drawing massive interest.
Authorities say only a fraction of the thousands who sat the exam will eventually be selected, further underscoring the urgency of addressing the country’s broader employment challenges.
Statista says about 51% of Sierra Leone’s population is unemployed with few of that being discouraged job seekers.
