From Intention to Impact: A Systematic Review on Understanding Youth Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies

Abstract

Youth entrepreneurship is widely regarded as a route to employment, innovation and economic development. This study focuses on three areas: the contribution of youth entrepreneurship to economic development, the drivers of entrepreneurial success, and the barriers that young entrepreneurs face. Following the Scientific Procedures and Rationales for Systematic Literature Reviews (SPAR-4-SLR) protocol, relevant articles were searched and synthesised thematically. The evidence links youth entrepreneurship to economic development through employment creation, business growth and productivity, poverty reduction, and innovation and digital transformation. Success is shaped by personal capabilities, education and experience, and incubation support, whereas the main barriers are financial limitations and weak institutional and policy conditions. The central argument is that venture creation does not automatically lead to economic development. Economic impact depends on whether young entrepreneurs can build businesses that survive, grow and create jobs. The study therefore proposes a conversion framework with five propositions, together with a research agenda that calls for longitudinal and outcome-based studies.