Analyzing South Sudan's Talent Pipeline Gap and Its Impact on Youth Employment and Labour Market Demand

South Sudan faces one of the highest youth unemployment rates in the world, with about 90% of youth reported to lack formal employment. Despite a growing number of graduates in technical and social fields, employers have failed to source talent for hire. This is largely due to a growing mismatch between the skills acquired in academia and the competencies required in the labour market. This study examined the structural and systemic factors that shape South Sudan’s talent pipeline gap. The study particularly focused on training systems, digital skill readiness, and employer expectations. Using an explanatory sequential mixed-methods approach, this study examined the alignment between youth skills and labour-market demand.  The study collected data through surveys, focus group discussions, and interviews with policymakers,  educators, and labour market stakeholders in Juba. The study's findings revealed systemic bottlenecks in South Sudan’s education and employment ecosystem. The study insights will be used to recommend evidence-based models for implementation to strengthen youth employability and address the skills mismatch, supporting the national goal of equipping youth with high-demand skills in the labour market by 2030 and the overall national development agenda.