Today is World Population Day 2014 and the theme is “Investing in Young People.”
There are 1.8 billion people aged 10-24 in the world, making one quarter of the world’s population. This group comprises adolescents (aged 10-19) and youth (aged 15-24).
The proportion of the global population that is between the ages of 10 and 24 accounted for 28 per cent in 2010. While this proportion will decline in most regions in the coming 25 years, it will remain above 20 per cent in all regions except Europe until 2035, and above 30 per cent until 2035 in Africa.
Investing in young people today by promoting healthy habits and ensuring education and employment opportunities, access to health services, and social security coverage for all workers is the best investment to improve the lives of future generations.
It is particularly important for agriculture and we are thrilled to be working on talent development in sector, including through a special roundtable at the UN Committee on Food Security next year.