By John Wilmoth, Director, and Lina Bassarsky, Population Affairs Officer, Population Division, UN DESA

With the size of the world’s youth population surpassing 1.3 billion, its composition and geographical distribution are set to shift significantly in the coming decades. Patterns of growth in the population between ages 15 and 24 are likely to vary across countries, creating diverse opportunities and challenges that depend on local demographic, social and economic contexts. These changes will shape how young people live, learn, work and participate in society, with major consequences for development, equity and well-being. Understanding the changing demographic landscape for youth and their evolving needs is critical as we strive to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals—in particular those related to health, education, labour markets and gender equality. 

The data and projections in the UN DESA report, World Population Highlights 2026: Youth, provide governments, youth organizations and civil society with a robust evidence base that can be used to anticipate emerging needs, design targeted interventions and ensure that demographic change contributes to inclusive, equitable and sustainable development. Around the world, young people are demanding inclusion, asserting their right to take part in decisions that affect their lives, and bringing novel ideas to governance. By linking demographic foresight to strategic action, stakeholders can enable and support young people as drivers of social and economic progress.

As youth populations in many low- and lower-middle-income countries continue to grow, it is critical for governments to prioritize quality education, healthcare, skills development and social protection to reduce poverty, inequality and social exclusion. Expanding opportunities for decent work, fostering economic diversification, supporting the green economy and accelerating digital transformation are essential for realizing the demographic dividend. Investing in digital access, literacy and youth-led innovation will enhance productivity and drive structural change towards inclusive and sustainable growth.

Governments should intensify efforts to eliminate barriers to young women’s empowerment across sectors. Ensuring that young women have access to quality education, skills training and equal opportunities in the labour market, including equal pay for work of equal value, and promoting the equitable sharing of care work and household responsibilities can contribute to social development and help to build more productive and resilient economies. In many low- and lower-middle-income countries, where youth populations are growing rapidly and gender equality remains low, such measures are crucial for advancing inclusive and sustainable societies.

Another priority is addressing the environmental pressures associated with rapidly growing youth populations. Larger youth cohorts increase demand for energy, water, land and other natural resources, intensifying the environmental impacts of economic development, including higher greenhouse gas emissions and accelerated resource consumption. Although many low- and lower-middle-income countries have historically contributed only a small share of total global emissions, achieving sustained economic growth and meeting the Goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda will require substantial increases in energy and resource use. Strong international support will be required to ensure that such development is decoupled from further environmental degradation. Technology transfer and investments in clean energy can support young people in playing a leading role in achieving sustainability.

In high- and upper-middle income countries, older populations are projected to be almost three times as large as youth populations in 2050. With stable or decreasing numbers of youth, strategies that enhance productivity and promote technological innovation can mitigate the challenges and seize the opportunities associated with population ageing, strengthening economic resilience. Providing legal pathways for migration and student mobility can help meet the growing demand for labour while reducing the risks associated with irregular migration.

Addressing the socioeconomic factors that drive disparities in health and mortality among youth, including differences between young women and young men, is also essential. The health of the younger population has lasting implications for well-being, productivity and the overall quality of life, making health one of the key areas for investments in human capital. Policies should focus on preventing injuries and violence among youth, improving youth maternal health, and tackling rising levels of depression, anxiety and self-harm among youth. Strengthening primary health care and expanding young people’s access to age-appropriate sexual and reproductive health services, including modern contraceptive methods, are essential to reduce unintended pregnancies and support healthy transitions to adulthood. Ensuring access to accurate and age-appropriate sexual and reproductive health information and education is equally important. Tailored policies should enable young parents, especially young mothers, to continue their education, find employment and obtain proper healthcare and social support.

The ultimate success of these measures will depend on whether young people are fully, meaningfully and equitably included in advocacy, policymaking and governance. Engaging youth as equal partners can help to harness demographic change as a driver of innovation, enhanced accountability and accelerated progress towards the green and digital transitions that are needed to achieve sustainable development.

Explore the latest analysis and foresight in UN DESA’s World Population Highlights 2026: Youth available now.