ANOVA ANALYSIS ON THE RATE OF UNEMPLOYMENT AMONG AGE GROUP IN BAUCHI STATE

Abstract This study examines the trend and variation of unemployment rates in Nigeria between 2015 and 2024, with a particular focus on differences across age groups and years. Using secondary data obtained from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the research employs descriptive analysis and one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to determine whether significant differences exist in unemployment rates among age categories and over time. The results reveal that unemployment remains persistently high across all age groups, with an overall mean rate of 15.16 percent. The 26–35 age group recorded the highest unemployment rate (18.10%), while the 16–25 group experienced the lowest (11.19%). The ANOVA results indicate no statistically significant differences in unemployment rates across age groups (p = 0.246) or years (p = 0.061). These findings suggest that unemployment trends have remained relatively unchanged during the ten-year period, implying that existing government interventions and policies have had limited impact on job creation. The study concludes that unemployment in Nigeria is a structural and persistent challenge affecting all segments of the labor force. It recommends policy reforms centered on sustainable job creation, youth empowerment, and vocational training, as well as active private sector participation and continuous monitoring of employment programs. The research contributes to empirical knowledge by highlighting the stagnancy of unemployment trends and emphasizing the need for innovative, evidence-based approaches to achieve meaningful reductions in joblessness across Nigeria.