Give Youth a Chance
An Agenda for Action
Youth in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) should be playing a major role in driving regional growth. According to the International Labour Organization, approximately 148 million of the region’s 565 million inhabitants are between the ages of 15 and 29. A number of countries in LAC have a “youth bulge,” meaning that over 60% of their population is under 30 years old. Currently, young people represent 40% of the working age population region wide, a percentage that will continue to grow in coming years.
The youthfulness of the region presents a “demographic bonus,” or a significant window of opportunity for economic growth; as the ranks of the workforce increase, the economic burden of the dependent population decreases, thereby freeing up resources for development. This young workforce represents one of the region’s most important assets and potential engines of growth. But, if not provided with access to opportunities, it could perversely turn into the region’s largest liability.
Recent studies have shown that a large “youth bulge” is associated with a high risk of outbreak of civil conflict. In fact, of the poor and low-income youth in LAC, at least 50 million are considered “at-risk.” Having so many young people leading precarious lives imposes a heavy social and economic toll on societies.