WB: Urgent Need To Invest More In Developing World's Youth Population
Siddique Islam - All Headline News Foreign Correspondent Singapore (AHN) - Developing countries which invest in better education, healthcare, and job training for their record numbers of young people between the ages of 12 and 24 years of age, could produce surging economic growth and sharply reduced poverty, the World Bank (WB) says in a new report on Saturday. "With 1.3 billion young people now living in the developing world-the largest ever youth group in history-the report says there has never been a better time to invest in youth because they are healthier and better educated than previous generations, and they will join the workforce with fewer dependents because of changing demographics," the WB says in its World Development Report, launched at the bank's annual meeting in Singapore. However, failure to seize this opportunity to train them more effectively for the workplace, and to be active citizens, could lead to widespread disillusionment and social tensions, it adds. The report says that most policymakers know that their young people will greatly influence their national social and economic fortunes, but nonetheless face acute dilemmas in how to invest more effectively in their youth. The report identifies three strategic policies that may enhance investment in young people expanding opportunities, improving capabilities, and offering second chances for young people who have fallen behind due to difficult cir |
