We Are Kenya’s Future: Young People and Our Nation’s Growth

Population Reference Bureau

13 Jul 201706:26

Summary

TLDRThe video script addresses the potential of Kenya's youth, aged 10-24, to drive economic growth through a demographic dividend. It emphasizes the importance of access to contraceptives, quality healthcare, education, and job opportunities. The script calls for youth-friendly services, equal educational opportunities, and the inclusion of young people in governance to ensure a prosperous future for Kenya, aligning with the Vision 2030 goal of 10% annual GDP growth.

Takeaways

🌟 Kenya has a large youth population aged 10 to 24, totaling 15 million, which is a significant demographic group for the country's future.
📈 The demographic dividend refers to the potential economic growth that can occur when a country has a higher proportion of working-age individuals relative to dependents.
👶 Birth rates in Kenya have been declining, which is a key factor in creating a demographic dividend, as it leads to a larger working-age population.
💊 Access to modern contraceptive methods has increased among married women in Kenya, contributing to smaller, healthier, and more financially stable families.
🏥 Improving healthcare, particularly youth-friendly services, is crucial for the health and economic potential of Kenya's youth.
🏫 Education is a critical area that needs investment, with a focus on quality and equal opportunities for both boys and girls.
👩‍💼 Empowering young people with quality education and skills is essential for their participation in the job market and for economic growth.
💼 Job growth, especially in modern agriculture and non-agricultural sectors, is vital for the youth entering the workforce and for reducing unemployment.
🏛️ Good governance, including reducing corruption, is necessary to create an environment where young people can actively participate in policy-making and hold decision-makers accountable.
🌐 The script calls for a youth-friendly approach to health, education, jobs, and governance to unlock Kenya's demographic dividend and achieve the Vision 2030 goal of 10% annual GDP growth.

Q & A

What is the demographic dividend mentioned in the script?
-The demographic dividend refers to the potential for faster economic growth that can occur when a country's birth rate decreases, leading to a population structure where there are more working-age individuals than young children and elderly, allowing for increased investment in the future.
How has the use of modern contraceptive methods among married women in Kenya changed over the years?
-The percentage of married women using modern contraceptive methods in Kenya has grown tremendously, from 32% in 2003 to just over 53% in 2014.
Why is delaying marriage and pregnancy important for young people in Kenya?
-Delaying marriage and pregnancy allows young people to attain a higher level of education and qualify for better jobs, which can contribute to their personal development and economic growth.
What challenges do rural Kenyans face in accessing healthcare?
-Rural Kenyans face challenges such as health facilities being far from where they live and often being understaffed, which denies them the highest attainable standard of health.
How does improving overall healthcare contribute to economic growth in Kenya?
-Improving overall healthcare ensures people are healthy and fit to drive the economy, boosting children's health and nutrition, which leads to better health, more job opportunities, and more income in adulthood.
What is the current state of primary and secondary school completion rates in Kenya?
-There have been improvements in primary and secondary school completion rates in Kenya, but they are uneven, with some counties having only one in ten people complete secondary school, and girls' completion rates still lower than boys in certain counties.
What does quality education entail in the context of the script?
-Quality education includes having access to exercise books, textbooks, and pens, as well as equal opportunities for all to attend school and achieve the highest level of education.
Why is job growth critical for young people entering the workforce in Kenya?
-Job growth is critical because many young people in Kenya are unemployed, and there is a need for job availability in modern agriculture and non-agricultural sectors such as manufacturing and knowledge-based industries.
How can Kenya improve job growth for young people?
-Kenya can improve job growth by providing young people with opportunities to learn about entrepreneurship and by mentoring them to build good governance.
What role should young people have in shaping policies that impact their lives?
-Young people should have the opportunity to shape policies that impact their lives, engage with decision-makers, have their voices heard, and hold policymakers accountable to their commitments.
What is Kenya's Vision 2030 goal in relation to GDP growth?
-Kenya's Vision 2030 goal is to achieve 10% GDP growth each year, which can be supported by investing in youth-friendly access to sexual and reproductive health care, education, jobs, and governance.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 Empowering Kenya's Youth for Economic Growth

The script addresses the demographic dividend potential in Kenya, focusing on the youth population aged 10 to 24, which numbers 15 million. It emphasizes the importance of this generation's opportunities in shaping Kenya's future economy. The demographic dividend is described as the economic growth that can occur when a country's birth rate decreases, leading to a larger working-age population relative to children and the elderly. The script points out that while declining birth rates are a first step, they are not sufficient on their own. Investments in health, education, jobs, and governance are crucial. The youth must have access to quality sexual and reproductive health care and accurate information to delay marriage and pregnancy, allowing for higher education and better job opportunities. The script also highlights the need for improved healthcare, quality education, job growth in modern sectors, and good governance to ensure the youth can contribute effectively to Kenya's economy.

05:03

💪 Youth Engagement for Kenya's Vision 2030

The second paragraph continues the theme of youth empowerment, urging policymakers to recognize and invest in the potential of young people. It stresses the importance of youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health care, including access to contraception, and the need for better health and education. The script calls for job opportunities in various sectors, including modern agriculture, manufacturing, and knowledge-based industries. It also emphasizes the role of good governance and the need for young people to have a voice in policy-making to hold decision-makers accountable. The paragraph concludes with a call to action for creating a future where both young people and Kenya can reach their full potential, aligning with the country's Vision 2030 goal of achieving a 10% annual GDP growth.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Demographic Dividend

The demographic dividend refers to the potential economic growth that can occur when a country's birth rate decreases, leading to a higher proportion of working-age individuals relative to dependents. In the video, it is emphasized as a key opportunity for Kenya's economic development, as it can lead to increased productivity and investment in the future when the younger population enters the workforce.

💡Sexual and Reproductive Health Care

Sexual and reproductive health care encompasses the services and information related to sexual health, family planning, and reproductive rights. The video highlights the importance of young people having access to quality sexual and reproductive health care, including contraception, as a means to delay marriage and pregnancy, allowing them to pursue higher education and better job opportunities.

💡Contraception

Contraception refers to the use of methods or devices to prevent pregnancy. The script mentions the growth in the percentage of married women using modern contraceptive methods in Kenya, which contributes to smaller, healthier, and more financially stable families, and is a crucial factor in achieving the demographic dividend.

💡Healthcare Access

Healthcare access denotes the availability and ability to obtain appropriate health services. The video script points out the challenges faced in rural Kenya, where health facilities are often far away and understaffed, hindering the population's access to the highest attainable standard of health and, consequently, their development.

💡Education

Education in the context of the video refers to the formal learning process that equips individuals with knowledge and skills. It is highlighted as a critical factor for young people to acquire the necessary skills to be competitive in the job market. The video emphasizes the need for quality education and equal opportunities for all, including access to learning materials and the importance of completing secondary school.

💡Job Growth

Job growth refers to the increase in the number of job opportunities available in the economy. The script discusses the importance of job growth for young people entering the workforce, particularly in modern agriculture and non-agricultural sectors like manufacturing and technology. It is seen as essential for Kenya to create jobs that can absorb the growing working-age population and drive economic growth.

💡Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship is the process of designing, launching, and running a new business. The video suggests that providing young people with opportunities to learn about entrepreneurship and mentorship can be a way to improve job growth and economic development, as it can lead to the creation of new businesses and job opportunities.

💡Governance

Governance in this context refers to the processes of decision-making and the management of a country's resources. The video calls for better governance, including the involvement of young people in policy-making and holding policymakers accountable. It emphasizes the need for young people to have a voice in decisions that impact their lives and to ensure that the potential of the demographic dividend is realized.

💡Vision 2030

Vision 2030 is Kenya's long-term development plan aiming for a transformed country with a high quality of life for all its citizens by the year 2030. The video connects the demographic dividend to this vision, specifically mentioning the goal of achieving 10% GDP growth annually, which can be reached by investing in the youth and leveraging their potential.

💡Youth Empowerment

Youth empowerment is about enabling young people to realize their potential and to participate fully in society. The video script underscores the importance of investing in young people by providing them with access to health care, education, and opportunities for entrepreneurship and governance participation, which are all essential for Kenya to achieve its demographic dividend and economic growth.

Highlights

There are 15 million young people between the ages of 10 and 24 in Kenya, a demographic that is larger and more diverse than ever before.

The opportunities available to this generation will shape the future of both the individuals and Kenya as a whole.

The concept of a demographic dividend is introduced, which refers to the economic growth potential due to a country's changing age structure.

A decrease in birth rates can lead to a higher proportion of working-age individuals, which is a key factor in a demographic dividend.

Access to contraceptive methods and the choice to have fewer children contribute to declining birth rates.

In Kenya, the percentage of married women using modern contraceptives has significantly increased from 32% in 2003 to 53% in 2014.

Smaller, healthier, and financially stable families are a result of declining birth rates and are a crucial first step towards a demographic dividend.

Investments in health, education, jobs, and governance are necessary alongside population changes to fully realize a demographic dividend.

Quality sexual and reproductive health care and accurate information are essential for young people.

Delaying marriage and pregnancy allows young people to attain higher levels of education and qualify for better jobs.

Improving overall healthcare ensures a healthy population capable of driving economic growth.

Boosting children's health and nutrition leads to better brain development, more job opportunities, and higher income in adulthood.

Health facilities in rural Kenya are often far from where people live and are understaffed, affecting the quality of healthcare.

Education improvements are uneven across Kenya, with some counties having very low secondary school completion rates.

Quality education is essential for providing equal opportunities and access to learning materials and resources.

Higher levels of quality education prepare young people for formal sector jobs and higher wages.

Job growth is critical for young people entering the workforce, with a need for jobs in modern agriculture and non-agricultural sectors.

Entrepreneurship education and mentorship can improve job growth for young people.

Good governance is necessary for young people to have a voice in policies that impact their lives.

Young people must be given a meaningful space at the decision-making table to engage with policymakers and hold them accountable.

Investing in youth-friendly healthcare, education, jobs, and governance can help Kenya achieve a demographic dividend and reach its Vision 2030 goal of 10% GDP growth annually.