DRC prioritizes youth in sustainable development push

JOINT PRESS STATEMENT

Kinshasa, July 11, 2026 – The Democratic Republic of the Congo is taking bold steps to harness its demographic advantage. With over 65% of its population under 25, the country is seizing the momentum of World Population Day to spotlight a transformative theme: ‘Fulfilling youth aspirations today and tomorrow.’

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Ministry of Planning are sounding the alarm: the nation’s future hinges on unlocking the potential of its young people. In a world reshaped by shifting demographics, the DRC is positioning its youth bulge as a strategic asset rather than a challenge.

Groundbreaking survey reveals youth priorities in DRC

A landmark UNFPA report, drawn from a survey of 100,000 young people across 73 countries, dismantles common misconceptions. Congolese youth, like their global peers, aspire to build families—but structural barriers stand in their way: economic instability, job insecurity, and housing shortages.

Financial security tops the list for 88% of respondents as the foundation for parenthood. This isn’t a rejection of family life but a demand for better opportunities and stability.

As the UNFPA Executive Director emphasized during World Population Day, top-down demographic policies fail without addressing the challenges young people themselves identify. A local youth leader echoed this sentiment: ‘The issue isn’t choosing to have fewer children—it’s having fewer choices to begin with.’

Turning challenges into growth opportunities

In the face of ongoing crises, particularly in the eastern regions, UNFPA and the government are deepening their collaboration. Aligned with the National Strategic Development Plan (2024–2028), their joint efforts focus on two key areas:

• UNFPA is bolstering access to reproductive health services and quality education, empowering young people—especially girls and vulnerable women—to take control of their futures.

• The agency is also supporting the DRC’s accelerated second General Population and Housing Census (RGPH2) and developing demographic dividend profiles at the provincial level to target investments where youth needs are most urgent.

A call for high-impact investment

UNFPA stresses that investing in youth isn’t a cost—it’s the most profitable long-term strategy for any nation. True prosperity arrives when young people can fully contribute to the nation’s progress.

‘From north to south, east to west, young Congolese have spoken. Now, it’s time to listen—and act. The goal? Creating the conditions for them to make meaningful choices, build the families they envision, and turn their dreams into reality,’ the UNFPA Executive Director affirmed.

UNFPA and the Ministry of Planning are rallying development partners, civil society, and the private sector to foster a collaborative dialogue. Together, they aim to reshape the national narrative and construct a more innovative, resilient DRC for generations to come.

For further inquiries, contact:

Brigitte Kiaku, UNFPA Communication Officer
[email protected], Phone: +243818302437