With fertility rates plummeting across the globe, there will never again be more children than there are today. In regions like South-East Asia, the large youth cohort is crucial in shaping their countries' economic development and success — but there are big challenges.
And with fertility rates plummeting across the globe, there will never again be more children than there are today.
"They are experiencing a lot of inequalities — varying levels of development, poverty and inequalities of other kinds," Dr Stephenson told the ABC. Elin Charles-Edwards, a senior lecturer in population geography from the University of Queensland, said there were various issues arising as population growth plays out across the region.There is also the issue of employment and ensuring there are enough job opportunities to avoid a "youth bulge".
Dr Elin Charles-Edwards says countries need to look at what they can do to grow the local economy in a way that produces good quality jobs. Fatimah Zahrah became part of the ASEAN Youth Forum in 2020, a movement that creates space to address human rights issues in the region.Decent work and unemployment are among the main issues highlighted by the ASEAN Youth Forum, alongside topics such as the climate emergency, sex education, politics and democracy.With digital authoritarianism on the rise, Fatimah Zahrah, the ASEAN Youth Forum lead coordinator, is concerned about freedom of expression in both physical and digital spaces.
Dr Stephenson said in Myanmar and other countries across the region, there has been a "we will not accept authoritarianism streak" among young people.
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