https://arab.news/gy7nq
Globally, one in five young people are not in employment, education or training, according to the International Labour Organization. The stark reality is that tens of millions of young people are being denied the opportunity to realize their potential with independence and dignity. The pace of job creation is simply not keeping up with the number of young people reaching working age. As a result, dreams are deferred, aspirations go unmet and talent is wasted.
Demographic shifts, unfortunately described as “youth bulges,” are reshaping economies worldwide. By 2050, Africa’s youth population alone is expected to account for more than a third of the world’s young people. Meanwhile, almost half of the 1.9 billion population in South Asia are under 24, the highest number of any region in the world. To put this into context, nearly 100,000 young people enter the job market every day. This surge presents immense opportunity, but also enormous challenges. To avoid a wasted generation, we need bold, scalable solutions that empower young people to earn a living and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Encouragingly, global leaders are paying attention. Ajay Banga, president of the World Bank Group, recently observed: “These young people — with their energy and ideas — will define the next century. With the right investments — focused not on need but opportunity — we can unlock a powerful engine of global growth. Without purposeful effort, their optimism risks turning into despair — fueling instability, unrest and mass migration — with implications for every region and every economy. This is why jobs must be at the center of any development, economic or national security strategy.”
