UNITED NATIONS, New York—Developing countries with large youth populations could see their economies soar, provided they invest heavily in young people’s education and health and protect their rights, according to The State of World Population 2014, The Power of 1.8 Billion: Adolescents, Youth and the Transformation of the Future, published today by UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund.

“Today’s record 1.8 billion young people present an enormous opportunity to transform the future,” says UNFPA Executive Director, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehim. “Young people are the innovators, creators, builders and leaders of the future. But they can transform the future only if they have skills, health, decision-making, and real choices in life,” he adds.

With the right policies and investments in human capital, countries can empower young people to drive economic and social development and boost per-capita incomes, the new UNFPA report states.

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The State of World Population in Eastern Europe and Central Asia

On 18 November at 12:15 p.m. Istanbul time, young people from across the Eastern Europe and Central Asia region came together via video link to hear about The State of World Population 2014’s key messages and present their priorities. Video of the event will be available soon on this page.

Resources and links:

Global report: The State of World Population 2014, The Power of 1.8 Billion: Adolescents, Youth and the Transformation of the Future

Global summary: The State of World Population 2014, Executive Summary

Regional supplement: Investing in Young People in Eastern Europe and Central Asia

Regional youth-led campaign: EECA Youth Voice

For information about the report, or to arrange interviews, please contact

at HQ:

Mandy Kibel, +1 212 297 5293, kibel@unfpa.org; or

Omar Gharzeddine, +1 212 297 5028, gharzeddine@unfpa.org

at the Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia: 

Jens-Hagen Eschenbaecher, +90 549 748 36 55, eschenbaecher@unfpa.org