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Interview with Siamak Shojaei: Dimensions of Unemployment Among Educated Women and Youth in Iran

Feb 11, 2026 February 11, 2026 1 min read 📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway

The article discusses the high unemployment rates among educated individuals in Iran, particularly women and youth, highlighting that over 40% of the unemployed have at least a diploma. Dr. Siamak Shojaei provides insights into the implications of these statistics for the Iranian economy. This issue is significant as it reflects the challenges faced by a highly educated demographic in finding employment.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: The high unemployment rate among educated youth in Iran signals a critical economic challenge that could have far-reaching implications for social stability.

👥 Key Players

Siamak Shojaei MENTIONED
Economist and Head of the Department of Economics and Business at the State University of New York
"His insights provide an academic perspective on the economic challenges in Iran, particularly regarding unemployment among educated demographics."
Statistical Center of Iran MENTIONED
Government agency responsible for collecting and analyzing statistical data
"Their reports provide critical data that informs public policy and economic understanding in Iran."

📰 What Happened

An interview with economist Siamak Shojaei highlighted that over 40% of unemployed individuals in Iran hold a diploma or higher, indicating a significant mismatch between education and job availability. This issue raises concerns about the economic prospects for educated women and youth in the country.

  • Over 40% of unemployed individuals in Iran have a diploma or higher education.
  • 23% of the unemployed population are illiterate or semi-literate.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: High unemployment rates among educated individuals can lead to social unrest and dissatisfaction with the government, impacting stability.
🌍 Regional: This issue may affect regional stability as economic challenges can lead to increased migration or unrest.
🌐 International: International observers may view Iran's economic struggles as a sign of broader governance issues, affecting diplomatic relations.

📚 Background

Iran has a young population with a growing number of educated individuals, but the economy has struggled to create sufficient job opportunities, leading to high unemployment rates.

Youth unemployment in Iran Impact of education on employment
📡 Source: STATE MEDIA
📊 Confidence: 70%
As a state-run agency, IRNA may present information that aligns with government narratives, so critical analysis is advised.

In an interview with Siamak Shojaei, it was revealed that over 40% of the unemployed population in Iran are individuals with a diploma or higher. IRNA, the Islamic Republic News Agency, cites a report from the Statistical Center of Iran stating that more than 41% of the unemployed in the year 1380 (2001-2002) were individuals with diploma-level education or higher. The report also indicates that 23% of the unemployed are illiterate or semi-literate. Dr. Siamak Shojaei, an economist and head of the Department of Economics and Business at the State University of New York, responds to the question, 'What do these statistics indicate about the Iranian economy?'

🌐

Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

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