THE  POWER  OF  POSSIBLE -A Financal Literacy Mini- Series For Guyana’s GenZ

THE  POWER  OF  POSSIBLE 

A Financal Literacy Mini- Series For Guyana’s GenZ . -The 592Guardian 

SPECIAL FEATURE —Staff Writer -August 2026

The Power of Possible is a practical financial-literacy miniseries for Guyana’s Gen Z and first-time earners. It is designed to make money matters easier to understand—from finding work and opening a bank account to saving, borrowing, starting a small business and preparing for new opportunities in a rapidly changing economy. Our objective is not to lecture young people or blame them for the barriers they face. It is to provide clear, useful information that helps them ask better questions, avoid costly mistakes and make sound decisions with whatever income or opportunity is available. As Guyana expands its economy and develops new avenues for finance, training and enterprise, this series aims to help young people prepare, participate and turn opportunity into lasting progress.

Episode 1: Before the Budget — The Real Cost of Finding Work

Financial literacy is often taught as if every young person begins with a steady paycheck: make a budget, save something, avoid debt and plan ahead. Those are important skills. But for many young Guyanese, the first financial challenge comes before the first salary: finding work.

You cannot budget money you have not yet earned.

Guyana is changing rapidly. New industries, new businesses and the proposed Development Bank could create more routes into jobs, training, entrepreneurship and investment. Those opportunities can be powerful—but young people must be ready to understand the real costs, ask the right questions and make informed decisions.

That is where financial literacy begins.

The Numbers Tell Two Stories

Guyana’s official unemployment rate was a little over 6% in the second quarter of 2026, according to the Bureau of Statistics’ Quarterly Labor Force Survey. At first glance, that sounds encouraging. But the national figure does not tell the whole story for young people.

World Bank data, using International Labour Organization estimates, puts unemployment among people aged (15 to 24) at 24.9% in 2025. In plain terms, nearly one in every four young people looking for work could not find it. That means a young person entering the workforce faces a much harder reality than the national unemployment number suggests.

Behind that figure are real pressures:

⇒ Mobile data is needed to search and apply for jobs.

⇒ Transport is needed to attend interviews and get to work.

⇒ Appropriate clothes, meals and personal care all cost money.

⇒ Family members may expect support even before stable work is found.

⇒ A person may accept low-paid work because they cannot afford to keep searching.

These are not signs that young people are irresponsible. They are the real costs of trying to enter the economy.

Budgeting Starts Before the Paycheck

A budget is not magic. It cannot create a job or increase a low salary. But it can help a young person see the truth of a situation before financial pressure makes the decision for them.

Before accepting a job, ask:

⇒ How much will it cost each day to travel there and back?

⇒ Will I need lunch, mobile data, uniforms or special clothing?

⇒ What will I actually have left after those costs?

⇒ Is the job close enough and stable enough for me to keep it?

⇒ Will this job build experience, skills or connections that can lead to better opportunities?

For example, a job may offer (G$100,000) per month. That may sound like a starting point. But if transport costs (G$1,200) per workday, that can amount to about (G$26,000) in a typical month. Add lunch, data and other work-related expenses, and the usable income may be far lower than the advertised salary suggests.

Knowing this does not mean rejecting every entry-level job. It means making the decision with your eyes open.

 Opportunity Must Be Reachable

Guyana’s Constitution recognizes every citizen’s right to freely choose a trade, occupation or profession. That principle matters, especially to a new generation preparing to work, train, start businesses and build independent lives. But freedom to choose has to be matched by a fair chance to enter the marketplace.

Can a young person afford transport to training or work? Do they have reliable internet access? Can they obtain a permit, open an account, access credit or find information about available programs? Can a small business owner get startup financing without taking on unmanageable debt?

These questions will become even more important as new financing avenues emerge, including those that may come through a Development Bank. Loans, grants, business support and training can help turn potential into income—but only when people understand the costs, conditions, risks and responsibilities attached to them.

A loan can help fund equipment, stock, certification or expansion. But it must be repaid. Before borrowing, young people should understand interest, repayment periods, collateral, penalties and whether the business or job can realistically produce enough income to meet the monthly payment.

The First Money-Smart Move

For a first-time jobseeker, the first money-smart move is not necessarily saving or investing. It is pricing the route to income honestly. Calculate what it costs to apply, travel, work and stay in a job long enough to gain experience and move forward. Keep track of spending on data, transport, food and job-search costs. Compare that total with the money likely to come in.

Financial literacy should help young people make the most of opportunity. It should never be used to blame them for obstacles they did not create. The goal is not simply to teach Gen Z how to manage money once it arrives. It is to help them recognise opportunity, protect themselves from bad deals, prepare for better ones and use every new avenue wisely.

LEARN MORE: https://youtu.be/mVbcRjdpG-E 

In Episode 2, we look at the next question: who among Guyana’s first-time earners has a bank account, who is able to save, and who remains outside the formal financial system before they ever receive their first payslip?

Sources: Guyana Bureau of Statistics, Quarterly Labor Force Survey, Q2 2026; World Bank World Development Indicators, “Unemployment, youth total % of total labor force ages (15–24 yrs.) modeled ILO estimate,” sourced from ILOSTAT.