They can be a creative force, a dynamic source of innovations, and they have undoubtedly, throughout history, participated, contributed, and even catalyzed important changes in political systems, power-sharing dynamics, and economic opportunities. However, youth also face poverty, barriers to education, multiple forms of discrimination, and limited employment prospects and opportunities.

HIGHLIGHTS

• In the area of political participation, in a third of countries, eligibility for national parliament starts at 25 years old or older.

.• 1.65% of parliamentarians around the world are in their 20s and 11.87 % are in their 30s

.• The average age of parliamentarians globally is 53 (50 years old for women parliamentarians)

.• Young people between the ages of 15 and 25 constitute a fifth of the world’s population.

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