Youth is considered the age range between childhood and adulthood. However, it is difficult to give a straightforward, universally accepted definition of what a youth is or of the basic idea of youth. This is because the definition of youth, although often based on age, also has cultural connotations. There are also differences in the age framework for youth across countries, international institutions, and organisations. For example, the UN defines youth (subject to the national definitions of member states) as a person aged 15 to 24. The African Union, for its part, has broadened the age framework in its African Youth Charter, adopted in June 2006, to include anyone aged 15 to 35.
According to the UN, there are currently 1.8 billion people aged 15-29, of whom 87% live in developing countries, according to the UN Population Fund. Looking specifically at Africa, the continent has become the world’s most youthful region, with nearly 400 million people aged 15 to 35, according to the African Development Bank. Studies show that having a large youth population in a country has its own positive aspects. Among these are the presence of a strong and productive workforce that can play a major role in the national economy and the ability to attract large investment opportunities. On the other hand, a country with a large number of young people places the responsibility of providing ample employment opportunities and social services, such as education and health, on the government.
In Ethiopia, like in other developing countries, children, adolescents, and young people make up a large portion of the population. Ethiopia’s National Youth Policy defines the entire population aged 15-29 as youth. According to data from the Central Statistical Authority, of a population estimated at 125 million, 30% of the youth under the policy are aged 15-29.
