GENEVA: The initial findings of the largest-ever global survey of young people reveal that obtaining quality education and securing meaningful employment rank as the foremost priorities for individuals aged 10 to 24. The survey, conducted by the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH), sought the perspectives of over 700,000 participants worldwide, aiming to gauge factors that contribute to their overall well-being. Results indicate that approximately 40% of respondents identified education and work as vital, while 21% emphasized safety, and 16% highlighted good health and proper nutrition.
With aspirations to collect insights from a minimum of 1 million young individuals, the PMNCH plans to use the data to inform discussions at a global forum scheduled for October. This forthcoming event will mark the largest assembly dedicated to the well-being of adolescents to date. The initiative follows the launch of the 1.8 Billion Young People for Change campaign in the preceding year—a global movement focused on translating the needs of young people into actionable policies and investments.
Of the survey respondents thus far, nearly half (47.2%) fall within the age range of 15 to 19. A substantial majority (68.8%) hail from Africa, and approximately 27.5% originate from southeast Asia. Notably, the highest participation rates were recorded from India (17.2%), Uganda (12%), Indonesia (10.2%), and Zambia (8.4%).
Helga Fogstad, the executive director of PMNCH—a global alliance championing the health and well-being of women, children, and adolescents—stressed that the survey results underscore how the prevailing global environment significantly influences concerns related to financial stability and the acquisition of skills.
Presently, the world boasts an unprecedented population of young people. Nonetheless, despite their immense potential, a significant portion of the 1.8 billion youth are unable to fully realize it due to the failure of current policies and investments to adequately address their needs, according to PMNCH.
In the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, school closures in low and middle-income countries during 2022 led to a staggering 70% of 10-year-olds being unable to read or comprehend simple texts—a substantial increase from the pre-2020 figure of 53%.
Fogstad expressed hope that the survey’s findings, unveiled on Thursday, would have a tangible impact on policy decisions. She warned that failing to explicitly address the requirements of young people could result in dire consequences, including negative health outcomes that endure.
The survey employs both in-person interviews conducted by specially trained young individuals and data collection via WhatsApp. Responses can also be submitted through QR code scans.
Blessing Alims, 21, gathered over 3,000 responses in Calabar, southeast Nigeria. She emphasized the critical importance of incorporating young people’s voices into decision-making processes due to their potential to contribute fresh perspectives, innovative solutions, and diverse viewpoints capable of tackling intricate challenges and shaping more comprehensive and sustainable outcomes.
