There are 1 billion youth living in developing countries. The youth population in these countries is growing faster than in higher income countries, bringing to light major challenges around gainful employment prospects. The challenge is particularly significant in rural areas where youth account for up to 60% of the population (and 45% of the workforce) and where poverty rates are higher than in urban areas. In sub-Saharan Africa alone, it is expected that most youth will continue to work on family farms and in household businesses in the next five years; only one in four youth will find waged employment, and a fraction of those jobs will be in the formal economy.
