New Delhi : The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has released a groundbreaking report titled The Status of Youth in Agrifood Systems, shedding light on the pivotal role of 1.3 billion young people aged 15–24 in transforming global agrifood systems. With nearly 85% of global youth residing in low- and lower-middle-income countries, where agrifood systems are vital for livelihoods, the report highlights how empowering youth can address unemployment, enhance food security, and drive economic growth. This comprehensive analysis emphasizes the potential for a 1.4% boost in global GDP, equivalent to $1.5 trillion, with 45% of this growth stemming from increased youth participation in agrifood systems.
Youth as Catalysts for Agrifood Transformation
The FAO report positions youth as key agents of change in agrifood systems, capable of increasing food production, replacing an aging workforce, and adapting to climate challenges. Globally, 44% of working youth rely on agrifood systems for employment, compared to 38% of working adults. However, this share has declined from 54% in 2005 to 44% in 2021, reflecting a shift toward urban areas and non-agricultural sectors. In protracted crisis regions, 82% of working youth are engaged in agrifood systems, while only 23% are in industrial systems, highlighting regional disparities.
The report underscores that youth-inclusive agrifood systems can address the global youth unemployment crisis, with over 20% of the 1.3 billion youth classified as NEET (not in employment, education, or training). Young women are twice as likely to be NEET, facing significant barriers to resources and opportunities. By eliminating youth unemployment, particularly among 20–24-year-olds, the global economy could see a $1.5 trillion increase in value-added activity, with agrifood systems contributing $860 billion.
Demographic and Migration Trends
The report provides detailed demographic insights, noting that 54% of youth live in urban areas, particularly in Eastern Asia, while rural youth constitute only 5% of the population in industrial agrifood systems. This urban shift signals potential labor shortages in agriculture unless careers in the sector are made more attractive. Sub-Saharan Africa’s youth population is projected to grow by 65% by 2050, presenting both opportunities and challenges for agrifood systems.
Migration is another critical factor. Youth aged 15–24 account for 16.2% of international migrants from sub-Saharan Africa and 15.2% from Latin America and the Caribbean. In India, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) individuals aged 16–40 are overrepresented in short-term migration, often driven by economic necessity. The report highlights the need for safe, youth-responsive migration pathways to address labor shortages while supporting youth aspirations.
Food Insecurity and Climate Challenges
Food insecurity among youth has risen sharply, from 16.7% in 2014–16 to 24.4% in 2021–23, with Africa being the hardest hit. Approximately 395 million rural youth live in areas expected to face declining agricultural productivity due to climate shocks, water scarcity, and extreme weather events, particularly in traditional agrifood systems and sub-Saharan Africa. These environmental challenges exacerbate food insecurity and deter youth from pursuing agricultural careers.
The report also notes social barriers, such as the perception of farming as a low-status profession, which discourages youth participation. Gender inequalities further complicate the landscape, with young women often relinquishing inherited land to male relatives and facing limited access to resources. Landlessness is a significant issue, with many young farmers starting on rented land, further limiting their economic stability.
Economic Opportunities and Social Protection
The FAO report advocates for targeted interventions to empower youth in agrifood systems. These include enhancing access to training, resources, and social protection programs. Investments in infrastructure, such as roads and digital connectivity, can make agricultural careers more appealing. Youth-targeted land and credit schemes are crucial to overcoming barriers like landlessness and limited financial access. For instance, only 56% of young women own livestock compared to 67% of young men, and digital exclusion remains a challenge, particularly in low-income countries where only 29% of youth have internet access at home.
The report emphasizes the importance of collective action and social capital. Youth often rely on community networks to access resources, but formal financial systems remain inaccessible, particularly for young women in low-income settings. Expanding digital access can enable young farmers to modernize practices, connect with markets, and leverage e-commerce platforms and precision farming technologies.
Strategies for Youth Empowerment
To address these challenges and seize opportunities, the FAO proposes three core strategies: Inquire More, Include More, and Invest More.
- Inquire More: Bridging knowledge and data gaps is essential for evidence-based, youth-inclusive policies. The report calls for better research to understand the needs of diverse youth groups, including those with disabilities, indigenous youth, and young women.
- Include More: Amplifying youth voices in policy and decision-making processes ensures that their perspectives shape agrifood systems. This includes involving youth in agricultural policy design and community development initiatives.
- Invest More: Targeted investments in training, infrastructure, and market access can unlock youth potential. Examples include vocational programs in countries like Tonga, where training increased employment rates by 20% for 16–18-year-olds, and Lebanon, where youth-led agricultural projects have boosted productivity.
Specific actions to implement these strategies include:
- Expanding Economic Opportunities: Equipping youth with skills for both on-farm and off-farm agrifood roles, such as processing and service provision.
- Investing in Modernization: Improving infrastructure to enhance market connectivity and make agriculture appealing to tech-savvy youth.
- Facilitating Resource Access: Developing youth-targeted land and credit schemes to address barriers like landlessness and financial exclusion.
- Promoting Orderly Migration: Supporting safe migration pathways to balance labor needs with youth aspirations.
- Enhancing Digital Access: Expanding access to mobile phones and the internet, which are critical for financial services and market integration.
Gender and Social Equity
The report highlights significant gender disparities. Young women spend more time on unpaid domestic work, limiting their ability to engage in wage employment. Gender pay gaps persist, and women are less likely to access social insurance and benefits. In protracted crisis settings, young women often sustain agricultural production during shocks, yet their contributions are undervalued. The report cites examples like Sierra Leone, where business training during the Ebola outbreak improved youth employment outcomes, emphasizing the need for gender-responsive interventions.
Indigenous youth and those in protracted crisis contexts face unique challenges, including limited access to education and higher exposure to climate risks. The report calls for tailored policies to address these disparities, such as integrating indigenous knowledge into agricultural extension services.
Nutrition and Health Considerations
Youth nutrition is a critical focus, as adequate diets support physical and cognitive development. The report notes that skeletal muscle growth peaks in the thirties for males and forties for females, requiring higher dietary energy needs. However, access to healthy diets is limited, particularly in low-income countries, where processed foods are increasingly prevalent. The FAO recommends youth-focused nutrition programs and policies to promote healthy eating behaviors and combat rising food insecurity.
Resilience in an Uncertain World
The report explores youth resilience in the face of shocks like the COVID-19 pandemic and climate-induced disruptions. Young women, in particular, demonstrated resilience by increasing agricultural work during crises, though often at the cost of forgoing other opportunities. Social protection programs, such as cash transfers, can enhance resilience by providing a safety net during shocks. The report cites examples from Burkina Faso and Senegal, where youth-led initiatives mitigated food loss during the pandemic.
Policy Recommendations and the Way Forward
The FAO report concludes with a call to action for governments, investors, and stakeholders to prioritize youth in agrifood systems. Key recommendations include:
- Strengthening Social Protection: Expanding programs like cash transfers and insurance to support youth during crises.
- Enhancing Skills Development: Collaborating with employers to design training programs that meet market needs.
- Mainstreaming Youth in Policies: Ensuring youth are integrated into national agricultural strategies, as seen in regional variations across Africa and Asia.
- Leveraging Technology: Promoting digital tools like data analytics and e-commerce to modernize agrifood systems.
FAO Director-General QU Dongyu emphasizes, “The Status of Youth in Agrifood Systems report provides a timely and evidence-based assessment of how decent jobs and food security for youth can be achieved through agrifood systems transformation, and how empowered youth can act as catalysts for broader agrifood systems transformation.” By investing in youth, governments can address unemployment, ensure food security, and build resilient communities for future generations.
Conclusion
The FAO’s The Status of Youth in Agrifood Systems report is a clarion call to harness the potential of 1.3 billion young people to transform global agriculture. With targeted investments, inclusive policies, and a focus on modernization, youth can drive a $1.5 trillion economic boost while addressing food insecurity and climate challenges. As 395 million rural youth face declining agricultural productivity, the urgency to act is clear. By empowering youth, the world can secure a sustainable, prosperous future for agrifood systems, ensuring decent jobs, healthier diets, and stronger communities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the main focus of the FAO’s The Status of Youth in Agrifood Systems report?
The FAO report, released on July 3, 2025, examines the critical role of 1.3 billion young people aged 15–24 in transforming global agrifood systems. It highlights how increased youth participation can eliminate unemployment, boost global GDP by 1.4% ($1.5 trillion), enhance food security, and address challenges like climate change and an aging agricultural workforce, particularly in low- and lower-middle-income countries where 85% of youth reside.
2. How significant is youth employment in agrifood systems, and how has it changed over time?
Globally, 44% of working youth rely on agrifood systems for employment, compared to 38% of working adults. However, this share has declined from 54% in 2005 to 44% in 2021, reflecting a shift toward urban areas and non-agricultural sectors. In protracted crisis regions, 82% of youth are employed in agrifood systems, while only 23% are in industrial systems, highlighting regional disparities.
3. What are the key challenges faced by youth in agrifood systems?
Youth face multiple challenges, including the perception of farming as a low-status profession, climate change impacts (with 395 million rural youth in areas of declining agricultural productivity), gender inequalities (young women are twice as likely to be NEET), landlessness, and limited access to resources like land, credit, and digital tools. Food insecurity among youth has also risen from 16.7% in 2014–16 to 24.4% in 2021–23, particularly in Africa.
4. What strategies does the FAO propose to empower youth in agrifood systems?
The FAO outlines three core strategies:
- Inquire More: Bridge knowledge gaps through better data and research for youth-inclusive policies.
- Include More: Amplify diverse youth voices in policy and decision-making processes.
Invest More: Drive investments in training, infrastructure, market access, and youth-targeted land and credit schemes to enhance economic opportunities and make agriculture appealing.
5. How can youth in agrifood systems contribute to global economic and food security goals?
By eliminating youth unemployment, particularly among 20–24-year-olds, agrifood systems could contribute $860 billion to a $1.5 trillion global GDP boost. Youth can increase food production, replace an aging workforce, and adapt to climate challenges. Expanding digital access, modernizing infrastructure, and promoting orderly migration can further enable youth to modernize practices, connect with markets, and ensure sustainable food systems for future generations.
