The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has produced a detailed report focusing on the 1.8 billion young people (between the ages of 10 and 24) alive today.
About the Report
The report entitled, “The Power of 1.8 Billion – Adolescents, Youth and the Transformation of the Future”, examines the numbers of young people worldwide, the big challenges and the big possibilities that the growing number of young people pose, as well as the obstacles to young people’s growth and the policies and investments that need to be made in order to help young people.
Key Features of the Report
- Countries with large cohorts of adolescents and youth can reap a demographic dividend for national development
- This dividend may only be realised if countries invest in the human capital of their youth and pursue policy changes that can result in jobs, livelihoods or other income-earning opportunities for those reaching working age
- Young people, need quality education, training and health information services as well as human rights protection
- Young people matter. They matter because they have inherent human rights that must be upheld. They matter because an unprecedented 1.8 billion youth are alive today, and because they are the shapers and leaders of our global future.
- All countries bear a responsibility to uphold the rights of youth and to help them establish foundations for their lives. This includes equipping them with high-quality, relevant education, and comprehensive health care, encompassing all aspects of sexual and reproductive health. Youths need opportunities to earn a living and to participate in decisions that affect them.
Young People in Zambia
Data provided by the UNFPA shows the number of young people in numerous countries worldwide, including Zambia.
The data shows that out of a total population of 15 million in Zambia, 33% are aged between 10 and 24. This means that almost 5 million people in Zambia are aged between 10 and 24.
This information and UNFPA report raise a number of questions for Zambia:
- Is Zambia able to use its demographic dividend for national development?
- Is Zambia investing enough in their youth and pursuing policy changes that will result in jobs, livelihoods or other income-earning opportunities for those reaching working age?
Get the Full Report
To read the full report visit the UNFPA website using the following link: “The Power of 1.8 Billion – Adolescents, Youth and the Transformation of the Future”