Economic and Social Rationale to Invest in Youth
Out-of-School and Un-or Underemployed in Developing Countries
This paper makes the case for greater investment in programs and policies to address the needs of out-of-school and un- or underemployed youth in developing countries. It asserts that engaging the resources and human capital of out-of-school and unemployed youth is one of the most important issues many countries face, and failing to do so has significant consequences for a country’s economic growth, political stability, and social cohesion. After laying out a rationale for investment, the paper focuses on the types of policies and programs that countries can undertake to increase youth knowledge and skills, generate youth employment, and productively engage young people in governance and civil society.