Underutilization of human resources

In all countries of the world, developed as well as developing, the loss or underutilization, of human resources is both substantial, and detrimental to development. Examples include: the vast number of marginally or seasonally employed; the small number of women gainfully employed; the number of graduates working on "fringe" jobs rather than being engaged in significant enterprises; the exodus of youth from rural to urban areas in an unsuccessful search for livelihood; the disintegrating economic situation which forces many parents to use their children as farm labourers or in other tasks, thus seriously limiting their educational opportunities.