Cognitive and non-cognitive skills effect on labour market outcomes: a systematic review with implications for the African labour market

Abstract

The persistent skills gap in Africa poses a significant barrier to both economic growth and individual career advancement. While cognitive skills (CS) are well-recognized for their crucial role in enhancing employability, non-cognitive skills (NCS) have received less attention, especially in African labour markets. This systematic review examines the combined impact of CS and NCS on labour market outcomes in Africa, offering recommendations for aligning educational systems with labour market demands. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, the review incorporates 52 peer-reviewed studies published between 2014 and 2024, identified through the Scopus database. The findings highlight that both CS and NCS are crucial for success in Africa’s labour market. While foundational cognitive skills, such as literacy and numeracy, remain essential, employers are placing growing importance on non-cognitive skills. NCS significantly enhance job performance, boost wages, and promote career advancement. Furthermore, targeted interventions in NCS development was found to be effective for women, reducing gender wage disparities. Additionally, a significant gap has emerged between the skills cultivated by educational systems and those sought by employers, highlighting the urgent need for reforms. This review offers a unique perspective on the combined effect of CS and NCS on labour market outcomes in Africa.

Keywords

• Africa
• cognitive skills
• labour market
• non-cognitive skills
• skills development
• Study Skills