Africa stands at a pivotal moment. Africa is home to the world’s fastest-growing generation of young talent.

The Africa Youth Employment 2026 Outlook provides insights on the state of youth employment across the continent, with a focus on how gender dynamics influence young people’s access to work.

Africa’s youth population is often described in extremes: a booming youth population and low employment shares.

This decade [2020 -2030] marks a golden period for Africa’s youth ages 15-35. According to World Data Lab projections, there will be over 130 million more youth, compared to the prior decade.

This decade (2020–2030) marks a pivotal moment for Africa’s youth. The continent’s youth population (aged 15–35) is projected to grow by over 130 million.