Somalia is a predominantly young country, with adolescents and young people representing a substantial share of the population. This youthful population presents both an important opportunity and a critical responsibility: ensuring that young people have the knowledge, skills, opportunities and enabling environment they need to shape their own lives and contribute meaningfully to Somalia’s development.
For many young Somalis, the transition from adolescence to adulthood takes place against a backdrop of limited access to education and decent employment, displacement, insecurity, gender inequalities and unequal access to essential health and social services. These challenges can limit young people’s ability to realize their aspirations and participate fully in the social, economic and civic life of their communities.
Despite these challenges, Somali young people are already making significant contributions to their communities. They are leading youth organizations and networks, engaging in peacebuilding and civic action, promoting health and rights, developing businesses and innovations, and advocating for positive change. Recognizing and investing in this leadership is essential to Somalia’s efforts to build more peaceful, inclusive and resilient communities.
UNFPA Somalia works alongside adolescents and young people to strengthen their agency, leadership and meaningful participation in decisions that affect their lives and communities. This includes supporting access to adolescent-responsive sexual and reproductive health information and services, life skills and employability opportunities, youth-friendly spaces, leadership and civic engagement, as well as meaningful youth participation in peacebuilding and decision-making processes.
Our work is grounded in a rights-based and life-course approach and reflects UNFPA’s global commitment to adolescents and youth through its 2026–2029 Strategic Plan and the adolescent and the National Youth Policy 2023-2030 and the National Transformation Plan 2025-2029. In Somalia, this means moving beyond viewing young people primarily as beneficiaries and recognizing them as partners, leaders and agents of change.
With Somalia’s young population comes a unique opportunity to shape the country’s future. Investing in young people today, through education, health, skills, leadership, participation and opportunities, can help transform the country’s demographic potential into a foundation for sustainable development, peace and prosperity.
