Drc: unfpa and government urge prioritizing youth for sustainable growth

JOINT PRESS STATEMENT

Kinshasa, July 11, 2026 – On the occasion of World Population Day (WPD), the Democratic Republic of Congo is taking a decisive stand. With over 65% of its population under the age of 25, the nation is dedicating this observance to action, driven by the powerful theme: « Realizing the hopes and aspirations of young people – today and for the future ».

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Ministry of Planning are sounding an urgent call: the country’s future prosperity hinges on its ability to transform the immense potential of its youth into a catalyst for economic advancement. Amidst global demographic shifts, the DRC is strategically leveraging its youthful age structure as a significant national asset.

The « Lives, Choices and Futures » Survey: Unveiling Youth Priorities

A groundbreaking UNFPA report, compiled from a survey of 100,000 young individuals across 73 countries, challenges conventional assumptions. Young Congolese, mirroring their global counterparts, express a strong desire to establish families, yet they encounter substantial structural impediments: economic uncertainty, precarious employment prospects, and housing shortages.

A striking 88% of these young people identify financial security as an essential prerequisite for parenthood. This finding does not suggest a declining interest in family life, but rather highlights a profound demand for greater opportunities and stability.

As the UNFPA Executive Director emphasized in her World Population Day message, demographic policies relying on coercion are destined to fail if they do not address the very obstacles identified by young people themselves. Echoing a young community leader, « It’s not just about choosing to have fewer children. It’s about having fewer choices. ».

DRC: Transforming Challenges into Development Opportunities

In response to ongoing crises, particularly in the eastern regions of the country, UNFPA and the Government are intensifying their collaborative efforts. Their commitment, aligned with the National Strategic Development Plan (PNSD 2024-2028), is structured around two core pillars:

UNFPA actively champions enhanced access to reproductive health services and quality education. This empowers young people, especially vulnerable girls and women, to exercise full autonomy over their bodies and their lives.
UNFPA supports the DRC in accelerating the second General Population and Housing Census (RGPH2) and developing Demographic Dividend (DD) profiles across provinces. This crucial data will enable targeted investments where youth needs are most pressing.

A Call for Strategic Investment

UNFPA reiterates that investing in youth is not merely a budgetary expenditure, but rather the most productive and impactful investment a nation can make. Genuine prosperity will only materialize when young people are equipped with the means to contribute fully to the nation’s progress.

« Young people – from North to South, East to West – have spoken. It’s time to listen. And it’s time to help create the conditions that allow them to make real choices, to start the families they desire, and to realize their hopes and aspirations », affirmed the UNFPA Executive Director.

UNFPA and the Ministry of Planning extend an invitation to all development partners, civil society organizations, and the private sector to engage in constructive dialogue. This collaborative effort aims to sustainably reshape the narrative and build the Congolese nation of tomorrow: innovative, robust, and resilient.