Analisis Pasar Kerja Formal dan Pengangguran Sukarela Generasi Z di Sumatera Utara

Abstract

Generation Z (born 1997–2012) in North Sumatra is entering the labor market amid structural shifts and post-pandemic economic growth. North Sumatra faces critical challenges in absorbing young workers into the formal sector. This research aims to identify various factors that hinder Generation Z from obtaining jobs in the formal sector. The analysis focuses on the structural mismatch between the competencies possessed by the young workforce and the needs of the labor market, as well as the misalignment between Generation Z's work preferences and the organizational culture characteristics in the formal sector. This study is based on employment data obtained from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS). The analysis results show that although key sectors, such as agriculture and manufacturing industry, contribute significantly to the regional economy and the creation of formal jobs, the level of Generation Z's involvement in these sectors still faces various obstacles. These obstacles include the limited readiness of technical competencies that align with industry needs, the characteristics of formal work culture that tend to be less flexible, and the increasing tendency of Generation Z to choose gig economy jobs that offer greater flexibility and work autonomy. These findings indicate the presence of structural and cultural challenges that affect the integration process of Generation Z into the formal labor market.