2024 Theme: From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development
Digitalization is transforming our world, offering unprecedented opportunities to accelerate sustainable development. Digital technologies such as mobile devices, services, and artificial intelligence are instrumental in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Data generated from digital interactions supports evidence-based decision-making. With profound impact across economic, social and environmental dimensions, digital technologies and data contribute to at least 70 per cent of the 169 SDG targets while potentially reducing the cost of achieving these goals by up to USD 55 trillion.
Young people are leading the charge in digital adoption and innovation, with three-quarters of those aged 15 to 24 using the internet in 2022, a rate higher than other age groups. However, disparities persist, particularly in low-income countries and among young women, who often have less access to the internet and digital skills compared to their male counterparts. While there is an urgent need to enhance digital inclusion, youth are largely recognized as “digital natives,” using technology to drive change and create solutions. As the 2030 deadline for the SDGs approaches, the role of young people in digital innovation is essential for addressing global issues.
By celebrating the digital contributions of youth, we can inspire further innovation and collaboration towards achieving sustainable development.
Did you know?
- Half of the people on our planet are 30 or younger, and this is expected to reach 57% by the end of 2030.
- Survey shows that 67% of people believe in a better future, with 15 to 17 year-olds being the most optimistic about this.
- The majority of people agree that the age balance in politics is wrong. More than two thirds (69%) of people across all age groups agree that more opportunities for younger people to have a say in policy development/change would make political systems better.
- Globally, only 2.6% of parliamentarians are under 30 years old, and less than 1% of these young MPs are women.