Definition of Youth
According to the presentation “The Revised National Youth Policy (2012-2017)”, the definition of youth is from ages 15 to 35, though it is recognized that this is culturally and socially constructed.
Marriageable Age
- Opposite Sex
- Same Sex
- Without parental consent
- with parental consent
- Male
- 21
- 16
- XX
Candidacy Age
- Lower House
- 25 Source: Inter-Parliamentary Union
- Upper House
- 30
Source: Inter-Parliamentary Union
Situation of Young People
Literacy Rates
- 64.66% Male (15-24) %
- 43.97% Female (15-24) %
- Year: 2015
- Source: UNESCO
Net Enrolment Rate
Secondary School- --Male %
- -- Female %
- Year: No data.
- Source: UNESCO
Situation of Young People
Tobacco Use
Consumed any smokeless or smoking tobacco product at least once 30 days prior to the survey.- 14.20% Male (13-15) %
- 11.80% Female (13-15) %
- Year: 2010
- Source: WHO
Policy & Legislation
As reported by The New Republic Liberia, Liberia’s revised youth policy (2012-2017) was initially rejected as it was labeled “Liberia Youth Policy”. The House argued that it can only pass acts, not policies. The policy was renamed the “Liberia Youth Act” and passed by the House on 5 September 2013. It has since been sent to the Senate. Key areas of intervention include employment, education, sexual and reproductive health, justice and governance, and youth in peace-building processes. A 2009 USAID youth fragility assessment described the National Youth Policy Action Plan (NYPAP), which was the principle policy document from 2009-2012. Its objectives include: developing effective coordination for youth development and developing youth as not only
Public Institutions
(ministry, department or office) that is primarily responsible for youth?
Youth and Representation
Budget & Spending
- % of GDP
- % of gov. expenditure
Source: World Bank
Additional Background
Youth (ages 15-34) are 25% of the total rural population and 33% of the urban population. With the exception of those under age 5, virtually all children and youth in Liberia were traumatized in some way by the 14 years of civil strife. Many are ex-combatants who, for various reasons have yet to reintegrate fully into society [...]
Youth are aware of, and sensitive to, the issues of education and unemployment, both of which are intertwined with economic fragility and poverty. Seventy percent of youth in the survey identified “education and skills” as the most important factor in getting a job. Ninety percent stated that education and training were “very important” to earning money. Ironically, they also cited the lack of relevance of formal education in Liberia and the inadequacy of short-term training programs, which had no link to sustainable livelihoods. In this regard, they noted the many job training programs that had been offered in recent years by NGOs and development partners had effectively led nowhere because the training was insufficient and/or inappropriate for the actual job market in Liberia [...]