DRC’s future hinges on empowering its vibrant youth

Kinshasa, July 11, 2026 – The Democratic Republic of Congo is taking decisive action on World Population Day (WPD). With over 65% of its citizens under the age of 25, the nation is championing a powerful theme: « Realizing the hopes and aspirations of young people – today and for the future ».

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Ministry of Plan are issuing a critical call: the country’s destiny depends on transforming the immense potential of its youth into a powerful engine for growth. Amidst evolving global demographic trends, the DRC strategically views its youthful age structure as a significant national asset.

The « Lives, Choices and Futures » Survey: What young people truly desire

A recent UNFPA report, stemming from a survey of 100,000 young individuals across 73 countries, challenges common misconceptions. Young Congolese, mirroring their global peers, aspire to establish families but find their ambitions thwarted by substantial structural barriers, including economic uncertainty, precarious employment, and housing challenges.

For a striking 88% of these young people, financial security is an essential prerequisite for parenthood. This finding doesn’t signal a diminished desire for family but rather an urgent plea for greater opportunities and stability.

As the UNFPA Executive Director emphasized in her World Population Day message, population policies rooted in coercion are destined to fail unless they effectively address the obstacles identified by young people themselves. Echoing a young community leader’s poignant words: « It’s not just about choosing to have fewer children. It’s about having fewer choices. ».

DRC: Transforming challenges into development catalysts

In response to prevailing crises, particularly in the eastern regions of the country, UNFPA and the Government are deepening their collaborative efforts. Aligned with the National Strategic Development Plan (PNSD 2024-2028), their commitment is structured around two fundamental pillars:

• UNFPA actively supports enhanced access to reproductive health services and quality education, enabling young people, especially vulnerable girls and women, to exercise full autonomy over their bodies and lives. 

• UNFPA assists the DRC in accelerating the second General Population and Housing Census (RGPH2) process and developing Demographic Dividend (DD) profiles across provinces to strategically direct investments where youth needs are most pressing. 

An appeal for impactful investment

UNFPA reiterates that investing in youth should not be viewed as a budgetary burden, but rather as the most productive and impactful investment a nation can make. Genuine prosperity will only materialize when young people are equipped with the means to contribute fully to the nation’s progress.

« Young people – from North to South, East to West – have spoken. It is time to listen. And it is time to help create the conditions that allow them to make genuine choices, establish the families they desire, and fulfill their hopes and aspirations », stressed the UNFPA Executive Director. 

UNFPA and the Ministry of Plan invite all development partners, civil society organizations, and the private sector to engage in constructive dialogue. The goal is to sustainably reshape the narrative and build the Congolese nation of tomorrow: innovative, robust, and resilient.