1.8bn youth can transform developing countries UN says

UNITED NATIONS

 Developing countries with large youth populations could see their economies soar provided they invest heavily in young people’s education and health, according to The State of World Population 2014, released by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on Tuesday.

The potential economic gains would be realised through a “demographic dividend”, which can occur when a country’s working age population is larger than the population that is dependent and younger, the report said.

But to maximise the dividend, countries must ensure their young working-age populations are equipped to seize opportunities for jobs and other income-earning possibilities. “Today’s record 1.8 billion young people present an enormous opportunity to transform the future,” said UNFPA Executive Director Dr Babatunde Osotimehin.

“Young people are the innovators, creators, builders and leaders of the future. But they can transform the future only if they have skills, health, decision-making, and real choices in life,” he added.