The world has changed a lot in the last few decades. We’ve made great strides in science, technology, education, healthcare, the economy and so much more. The world’s population is steadily increasing. The population structure is changing albeit at different rates in different segments of the world!

But perhaps the most significant change is that we now have the largest generation ever of young people inhabiting our planet earth today. There are 1.8 billion young people in the world today, and a whopping 50% of the world’s population is under the age of 35.

*Estimated growth rate of Africa's youth population.*

In Africa, that percentage is much more, especially in countries which have large populations like Nigeria, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The UNFPA estimates that 70% of the total population of Africa is under the age of 35. The percentage of Africans between the ages of 11 and 49, according to the United Nations Population Division, is approximately 62%. Even more important is the fact that the youth population in Africa is expected to keep growing significantly in the coming decades! These statistics are staggering. Young people form half to three quarters of the population depending on where you look!!

Their sheer numbers makes it common sense that if the world is indeed to thrive and progress, the needs of this huge segment of the world’s population has to be adequately addressed. It is common sense that this huge segment should be an integral part of whatever development initiatives are taking place. It is common sense that the real adequacy of any development to their needs should be the true yard stick or barometer by which development in any form is measured.

But is this the reality?
What do you think?
Send us your thoughts.

Join us in our next blog post as we continue this mind boggling discussion.