The Impact of Youth Bulges on the World

When a country has a lot of young people, it can lead to some big changes in how that country runs. This idea is called "youth bulges." Here are some important effects of having many young people:

1. Economic Effects:

   • Countries with many young people often struggle with jobs. For instance, in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, the youth unemployment rate hit 30% in 2020.
   • The World Bank says that for every 1% increase in young people in a country, there can be a loss of about $150 billion because of joblessness and underemployment.

2. Social Problems:

   • More young people can lead to more violence and unrest. Research shows that youth bulges were involved in 40% of violent conflicts over the past 20 years.

3. Pressure on Education and Health:

   • Right now, over 121 million young people around the world are not in school. This situation makes poverty and inequality worse.
   • Health services can get overwhelmed, especially with the rising demand for mental health support due to feelings of isolation and job loss among the youth.

It's really important for countries to understand these issues when making plans for their population.