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Group of young people in a factory in Nigeria smile for camera

Rural youth

1.2 billion
young people aged 15–24 years
7%
projected rise in youth population by 2030
440 million
rural African youth to enter labour market by 2030
©IFAD/Andrew Esiebo
More than four in five of the world's young people live in developing countries, mostly in rural areas. As the farmers and producers of tomorrow, they have the potential to feed the world's growing population. 

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Context

Our world is home to 1.2 billion young people aged 15 to 24. The youth population growing fastest in the poorest nations. These governments face the challenge of providing them with jobs and opportunities that safeguard their futures. 

Almost 800 million young people live in rural or semi-urban areas. Here they face limited access to land, natural resources, finance, technology, knowledge and education. 

These challenges make it difficult for young people to contribute to or benefit from rural economies. Few aspire to remain in rural areas and make a living out of agriculture, with many migrating to urban areas or overseas.

Opportunities

Young people are the producers and leaders of today and tomorrow. 

The potential returns of investing in young people are boundless for food security, poverty reduction, employment, peace and political stability. 

Young people innovate and adopt new technology that can transform food systems and respond to climate change. 

At IFAD, we know that investing in youth is crucial for dynamic rural economic growth. Our investments increasingly focus on young people as a priority. 

What IFAD does

IFAD provides young people with the resources they need to be productive and have a positive impact on their communities.   

  • Young people are active IFAD partners. We incorporate their needs, innovative initiatives and aspirations into the design and delivery of our projects. 

  • We give youth voices a platform and connect rural young people. Through this, they can partake in the decisions on the issues shaping their futures, like climate change.  

  • We are committed to increasing youth representation in policy and decision-making processes. This enables them to address the challenges they face, share their ideas and enhance their political capital. 

  • IFAD training and support creates opportunities for rural youth employment and enterprise. 

Youth Agribusiness Hubs 

IFAD’s Youth Agribusiness Hubs create income opportunities for young people. They provide tailored access to finance, land, markets, jobs and training. 

The Hubs connect young jobseekers with the public and private sectors, as well as networks of service providers. Many hubs are based in technical and vocational institutions where young people can gain essential work skills. 

So far, over 18,000 young people have accessed decent jobs in nine African countries. This has transformed their lives and the economic landscapes of their communities.

Experts

Hisham Zehni

Lead Technical Specialist (Youth) and Social Inclusion Cluster Coordinator, Environment, Climate, Gender and Social Inclusion Division

[email protected]

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