This is what the world’s youth say they need for a secure future

Millions of young people around the world are demanding access to skills and learning opportunities to prepare themselves for the jobs of the future.

The findings of the "What Young People Want" survey, conducted by the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (PMNCH), reveal that education, skills and employment are a priority for a majority of the 700,000-plus respondents as essential for them to build a safe and prosperous future.

Young people people were asked to use their own words to answer this question: “To improve my well-being, I want...". The most frequently used words are highlighted in the illustration below.

The continuing survey has a target to capture the views of more than a million young people before it concludes. The final results will inform the Global Forum for Adolescents in October 2023.

The interim results of the survey suggest young people are acutely aware of the challenges that will confront them in adulthood. From high living costs to pandemic disruptions, climate crisis and conflict, global youth are recognizing the need to equip themselves with the knowledge and competencies required for the workplace of the future.

A majority of respondents said their highest priority was getting the education, skills and competencies to allow them to enter the workforce and build successful careers. The survey shows these priorities are particularly pronounced among those aged 15-19 and adolescent girls, who frequently cited the need for "learning opportunities" and "quality education".

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to exacerbate the challenges faced by young people, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. School closures have resulted in significant learning losses, with up to 70% of 10-year-olds in these countries unable to read or understand a simple text.

The findings of this survey align with the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2023, which highlights the ongoing impact of the pandemic on global youth employment.

Employment deficits for young people remain high when compared to pre-pandemic levels in many regions of the world, with Southern Asia, Latin America, Northern Africa and Eastern Europe seeing the slowest recoveries.

To overcome these challenges and ensure young people are equipped for work in the digital economy, the Forum’s report emphasizes the need to urgently address the skills gap and invest in the education and training of young people. Aligning the skills of young people with the priorities identified by businesses will be critical to ensuring young people have the right mix of talents.

By equipping young people with the necessary skills and knowledge and providing them with supportive environments, we can empower them to become agents of change and contribute to a sustainable and prosperous future for all.