The “myth” of the linear school-to-work pathway coupled with a rapidly changing world of work has created unique challenges for young people, their families, educators and training providers, and employers. In reality, the path to employment is winding and uncertain: many youth will move between informal and formal work, or engage in multiple forms of economic activity to cover costs, while others who experience long-term unemployment may give up searching for jobs. Rigid education systems, skills gaps, rising competition, and high expectations from families, and from young people themselves, create an environment of chronic anxiety, frustration, and pressure for many. Some approaches to address these issues include combating the myth of the seamless career path, integrating mental health support within career readiness programming, investing in transferable skills (e.g., soft skills), engaging employers early and often, and equipping young people with the skills and resources to succeed in self-employment, entrepreneurship, and informal work. (See: Economic Opportunity). 

Climate change impacts every aspect of young people's lives. Extreme weather events have displaced millions, disrupting education for at least242 million children in 85 countries in 2024. Lower agricultural yields, fewer safe working hours, and unreliable access to natural resources, limit economic opportunities for youth as global average temperatures rise. Concerns about climate among young people are strongly correlated with negative perceptions about government response and feelings of betrayal - 83% of surveyed youth believe that governments and businesses have failed to care for the planet. Climate change and its many impacts have heightened consequences for young people who also belong to other marginalized and underrepresented  populations and groups in vulnerable situations, including Indigenous youth, adolescent girls, LGBTQI+ youth, and youth with disabilities.

At the same time, young people are critical actors in climate action, raising awareness, educating peers and communities, demanding government reform, and leading innovative adaptation and innovation efforts. More support is needed for youth agency and leadership on climate action, expanded access to climate finance, economic opportunity, and investment in youth-led solutions, as well the meaningful integration of youth engagement in climate policy and decision-making. 

Today’s young people have grown up with technology. They are also shaping it: nearly 80% of youth interact with artificial intelligence (AI) multiple times a day. Technology offers a mixed picture for young people’s development. On the one hand, it has expanded access to information, education and skills development, as well as social connection, identity, mutual support, and organization. On the other hand, excessive usage (and in turn, declines in physical activity and interpersonal connections), the digital skills divide, digital harms and online safety, privacy and data security and, increasingly, a global crisis for young people’s mental health, have become more urgent.

Examples of policy and programmatic interventions for young people include the promotion of digital literacy and positive online behaviors - such safety and respect, critical thinking, and identifying misinformation and disinformation; teaching skills to help ensure that all young people can participate in an increasingly digital economy; and engaging young people directly to understand their perspectives on technology and in shaping relevant policy. (See also: Economic Opportunity).

Nearly 20 percent of adolescents in any given year will experience mental health difficulties, most often depression or anxiety, with implications for individual, family, and community life. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15-to-29-year-olds. Excessive social media use, online bullying and loneliness are at record levels, weakening interpersonal and community connections.

Yet the evidence also suggests that even incremental steps towards better integration of mental health and psycho-social support (MH-PSS) can improve outcomes for young people across sectors and the quality of life for young people in different contexts. The WHO estimates that investing in the treatment of anxiety and depression alone results in a fourfold return. In adolescents, preventing and treating mental health disorders and suicide among adolescents is even greater, yielding a return of $24 for every $1 invested. Understanding child and youth mental health as an integral component of policy and programmatic interventions, rather than a “nice to have” is vital.

Children and youth are disproportionately affected by armed conflicts and other forms of violence. With more countries embroiled in conflict than at any time in the last 30 years, young people are left particularly vulnerable. Globally, nearly one in five children live in conflict zones, with over 473 million children currently suffering from extreme violence, the highest number since World War II.

Violence takes many forms: young people are recruited as child soldiers, are killed and maimed, deprived of education and health care, and separated from their families. Sexual violence in conflict is pervasive with long-term psychological effects on children and youth. Migration and displacement also exposes young people to risk of violence - a large number of those on the move because of conflict or lack of economic prospects are under 30. In the United States, gun violence remains the leading cause of death for young people between the ages of one and 19 years. A 2022 in-depth study by Johns Hopkins calculated that firearm injury deaths accounted for 1,120,312 years of potential life lost before the age of 65—more than diabetes, stroke, and liver disease combined.

Adverse experiences have acute and long term impacts on young peoples’ developing brains, with potentially life-long consequences for their education, employment, health, and relationships. The impacts are felt across families, neighborhoods, and communities.

For young people who are not directly affected by conflict, ongoing exposure to its impacts through news and social media can amplify feelings of helplessness. Meanwhile, persistent “either/or” narratives about young people as violent perpetrators or victims have real world policy consequences that can exacerbate harms, and overlook the critical leadership role youth play in comunity violence and conflict prevention and peacebuilding. (See: Youth, Peace & Security).

Youth comprise more than half of the world’s global population, but continue to be underrepresented in political and formal political institutions. Only 2.9% of parliamentarians are under 30 years old, and less than 1% are in their twenties, with the average age of political representatives at 51.9 years. Less than one-third of countries consult young people when preparing national development plans, excluding a key population from decision-making processes.

The lack of formal political representation does not necessarily mean a lack of political engagement among young people. From the United States to Bangladesh to Kenya, young people are advocating for economic and social justice, government accountability and anti-corruption, climate action, peace, and more, expressing their frustrations with systems that do not represent their needs and concerns. Violent crackdowns on youth protesters and negative coverage of young people in the media has only contributed to a widening distrust in formal institutions.

Young people's trust in government and institutions is low, highlighting the need for policies and approaches that engage young people directly, alongside meaningful institutional reforms - systemic and behavioral - that promote intergenerational engagement.

Beyond engagement, interventions are strengthened when they are responsive to young peoples’ realities, and address their concerns about economic inequality and the future. Ultimately, integrating meaningful and inclusive youth engagement requires a fundamental shift in how we approach community development: young peoples’ inclusion, shared decision-making, co-creation and accountability are badly needed, but require a fundamental willingness to view young people as assets and partners, rather than problems or threats.