International Youth Day is not merely a symbolic occasion; it serves as a global reminder of the energy, creativity, and vision that young people bring to building sustainable and inclusive societies. This year’s theme, “Local Youth Action for the SDGs and Beyond”, underscores that while global frameworks like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set the agenda, their real success depends on action at the community level — where youth can drive tangible change. For Nepal — a nation with one of the youngest populations in the world — this moment brings unprecedented opportunities alongside pressing challenges that require bold and sustained action.
A global generation at a turning point
Globally, there are more than 1.2 billion young people aged 15–24, making up 16 percent of the world’s population. If we expand the age range to 15–29, the number rises to nearly 1.8 billion — the largest youth generation in history. This generation faces extraordinary complexity: accelerating climate change, shifting geopolitics, rapid technological disruption, and widening inequality. Yet, they are also the most connected, educated, and potentially innovative in human history, equipped to tackle challenges and create solutions that benefit both local communities and the planet.
Nepal’s Youth Bulge: Opportunity and risk
The 2021 national census reveals that roughly 40 percent of Nepal’s population is under 30. This “youth bulge” could translate into a demographic dividend — a period when a high proportion of working-age citizens boosts economic growth. However, this dividend is not automatic; it requires targeted investments in education, skills, and jobs. Without them, the same trend could lead to instability, unemployment, and mass migration.
Migration and the search for opportunities
Every day, over 1,200 Nepali youth officially leave the country for jobs abroad, not counting undocumented migration. Remittances contribute more than 23 percent to Nepal’s GDP, easing poverty and funding education, healthcare, and housing. Yet, migration comes at a cost: family separation, loss of local talent, and labor shortages in key sectors like agriculture. Transforming youth leadership in this context means creating opportunities at home by aligning vocational training with local economic needs, promoting youth entrepreneurship, and investing in sectors such as renewable energy, eco-tourism, sustainable fisheries, and organic agriculture.
The digital revolution and AI
The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital technologies is reshaping the global economy. The World Economic Forum predicts AI could create 97 million jobs by 2030 while making many traditional roles obsolete. For Nepal’s youth, this transformation presents both a vast opportunity and a significant risk. Bridging the digital divide is essential, especially as rural areas still lack reliable internet, affordable devices, and advanced ICT training. Preparing young leaders for the AI era means embedding digital literacy into formal education, expanding reskilling programs for those at risk of job loss, and fostering innovation hubs and collaborative platforms that encourage problem-solving. At the same time, ethical awareness must be strengthened so youth can navigate data privacy, bias, and digital rights in ways that ensure technology advances, equity and democracy.
Rethinking Nepal’s youth policy framework
Nepal’s Youth Vision 2025 and National Youth Policy 2015 were progressive for their time, but the realities of 2025 demand a thorough update. The pandemic, climate change, and rapid digitalization have reshaped the landscape of youth needs and opportunities. A renewed policy framework should respond to emerging issues such as mental health support, climate-induced displacement, and universal digital inclusion. It must set clear and measurable targets for youth employment, quality education, and political participation, while also ensuring that youth perspectives are fully integrated into national SDG strategies across all sectors. Without such revisions, Nepal risks relying on outdated policies that no longer address the actual challenges facing its young citizens.
Political Participation: From tokenism to transformation
Although young leaders are more visible than ever, their actual influence on policy remains limited. Participation is often symbolic, confined to election campaigns or party-affiliated youth wings with minimal decision-making authority. For youth participation to be truly transformative, barriers to political entry must be lowered, representation in governance structures must be proportionate, and youth advisory councils should be institutionalized within government ministries. This approach would allow for genuine intergenerational leadership, where the innovation and energy of young people complement the experience and wisdom of senior leaders.
The interconnected challenges youth face
Nepali youth face a web of challenges. Youth unemployment stands at about 19 percent, while underemployment is far more widespread. Many graduates lack the skills demanded by the market, leading to frustration and unfulfilled potential. Climate change adds another layer of vulnerability, particularly in rural areas where floods, landslides, and droughts threaten livelihoods. Access to finance for youth-led enterprises remains extremely low, and mental health issues such as anxiety and depression are on the rise, yet remain poorly addressed in policy and practice.
Stories of resilience and innovation
Despite these challenges, young people across Nepal are proving that transformative leadership is possible. They are using digital tools to mobilize for climate action, promote gender equality, and encourage civic engagement. Youth-led start-ups are pioneering renewable energy solutions, organic agriculture, and eco-tourism models that protect the environment while generating livelihoods. During crises such as the 2015 earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic, youth volunteers stepped in to provide vital relief and recovery services, often filling gaps left by formal institutions. Many are also bringing Nepal to the global stage by participating in international forums, climate summits, and technology competitions, returning with fresh perspectives and valuable networks.
A Call to Action: Investing in youth leadership
International Youth Day 2025 reminds us that young people are not just future leaders; they are leaders now. Governments must move beyond promises and implement concrete measures that create pathways for youth success through education, skills training, employment opportunities, and inclusive governance. The private sector should recognize youth as innovators and strategic partners in problem-solving, while civil society must continue amplifying youth voices. Development partners, in turn, must commit to long-term, flexible support for youth-led initiatives that address both local and global challenges.
Conclusion
Transforming youth leadership through local action for the SDGs is not optional — it is essential for building a resilient, prosperous, and equitable Nepal. By investing in the skills, creativity, and leadership of young people today, we ensure that their local actions feed into a global vision for sustainable development, creating a better world for all.
(Mr Subedi is an environmental advocate deeply engaged in youth activism, governance, and sustainable development.)
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