Ensuring Reproductive Health and Rights for Youth

Youths consist of about one third of the total population of Bangladesh. According to UNFPA’s 2014 report, by 2050, this will come down to approximately 10-19%. This implies that Bangladesh will get a demographic dividend, which can be best utilized through investing in human capital focusing especially on young people of the present generation. Making the best use of this opportunity will “contribute to economic growth, poverty reduction, falling fertility rates and better social indicators for the country.”

However, lack of access to quality education, inadequate work opportunities, marginalization and unavailability of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services young people is a barrier to utilizing this opportunity. UNFPA is currently collaborating with Government Ministries and NGOs to meet the present and future SRH needs of the youth population in Bangladesh.

Find out more: “Adolescents and young people of Bangladesh“, by The Daily Star.