World youth to reach 1.8 billion, can no longer be ignored: 2014 State of the World Population Report
According to the State of the World Population Report 2014 titled: “The power of 1.8 billion: adolescents, youth and the transformation of the future” the young population of the world will this year reach 1.8 billion; making it difficult for governments across the world not to prioritise youth matters in development policies and planning.
The report, to be launched by the Department of Social Development on 18 November, is released annually and is a compilation of global population trends, data and statistics.
The fact that the young population of the world will this year reach 1.8 billion presents an opportunity for the citizens of the world, including South Africa, to pay more attention to the needs, concerns and challenges facing young people. As ambassadors of a brighter future for their respective countries, young people are faced with numerous challenges.
According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), it is evident that many governments are paying greater attention to youth through public policy initiatives. However, the UNFPA also states that young people are still confronted by many obstacles which distract them from safely moving into adulthood and entering the workforce.
In South Africa, teenage fertility and pregnancy is declining, albeit the number is still high, representing one of the leading causes of early school drop outs. Furthermore, youth unemployment is extremely high, making it difficult for young people to be economically productive.
There is also a need to strengthen the development of strategic information in the country to effectively address educational and health developmental outcomes of young people living with disabilities including access to comprehensive sexual reproductive health services.
The State of the World Population Report 2014 highlights the many challenges faced by young people and puts forward proposals on how governments can respond to them. The launch will be attended by 180 young people from across nine provinces of South Africa who will be granted an opportunity to discuss their potential as well as matters affecting their lives on a daily basis. In commemoration of National Disability Rights Awareness month, the youth will participate in deliberations on how the rights of people with disabilities can be embraced.
According to United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), persons with disabilities in South Africa comprise 3 per cent of the population aged between 10 and 19. For the ages 20 - 29 and 30 - 39, this figure is 3.5 per cent and 4.19 per cent respectively.
Members of the media are invited to attend the launch of 2014 State of the World Population Report, planned as follows:
Date: 18 November 2014
Time: 12h00
Venue: St George’s Hotel, Pretoria
Please send media RSVPs to Mr Jaconia Kobue on 073 026 1111 or JaconiaK@dsd.gov.za
Media enquiries may be forwarded to:
Ms Lumka Oliphant
Cell: 083 484 8067
E-mail: lumkao@dsd.gov.za
