Making the best out of Youth in Bangladesh

In 2030, the world population is estimated to reach 8.4 billion. As mortality and fertility rate decline, an estimated number of 1.2 billion, 15 to 24 year-olds in 2015 is expected to increase to approximately 1.3 billion by 2030. Countries experiencing the rise in the ratio of working-age population to both young and old dependents is anticipated to get “a one-time demographic window of opportunity” before the dependency ratio rises again. If these countries invest extensively in health, education, skills development and employment for the youth adolescents it can lead to demographic dividend for them, esteems UNFPA.

If Bangladesh wants to gain benefit from this dividend, it should immediately invest in the “human capital” of its youth and ensure they can meet the country’s development needs.

Find out more: Harnessing the strength of the young, by The Daily Star.