Jessica Chemali ; Giulia Maci ; Farah Makki

2018
Farah Makki

Abstract: Today more than half of the world’s population (57,1%) is under the age of 35 being the largest youth and young adult population ever. Many of them are concentrated in developing countries. In fact, in the world’s 48 least developed countries, children or adolescents make up a majority of the population. This unique situation is what demographers refer to as the “youth bulge”; a result of decreasing infant mortality rates and retained fertility across developing and rapidly expanding countries particularly in Africa and Asia. On the one hand, the youth bulge can represent a magnificent opportunity to spur social and economic development, if countries – led by their increasingly populated cities - can harness the power and vigor of the youth demographic. On the other hand, it can increase the risk of social and economic destabilization and the marginalization of youth in their communities. In the context of poor governance, poor economic opportunities and a widening inequality gap, the youth bulge presents one of the most urgent challenges to domestic, international and global stability and prosperity.

Keyword(s): Youth ; Engagement ; beirut ; Developing Countries ; youth bulge ; Poor Governance ; Poor Countries ; urban youth ; Future ; Policy Coherence For Development ; Challenges ; social inclusion