Harnessing the Power of a Youthful Population: Liberia’s Greatest Asset

By Lionel Weah Toe
Liberia, a West African nation emerging from decades of civil unrest, stands at a critical juncture in its development. One of the country’s most valuable resources lies in its demographic makeup, a youthful population brimming with potential. According to the 2022 Population and Housing Census report by the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS), a remarkable 74.6% of the Liberian population is below the age of 35 (LISGIS, 2022). This “youth bulge” presents both opportunities and challenges for the nation’s future.

As a student of population studies, I firmly believe that a country’s young people are its greatest asset for driving productivity, innovation, and sustainable development. However, the Liberian government’s apparent neglect to provide meaningful and sustainable opportunities, including education and training for the youth, is a pressing concern that must be urgently addressed.

Liberia’s young population can be viewed as a significant economic asset, known as the “demographic dividend.” This refers to the potential economic growth that can occur when a country has a large working-age population, typically 15-64 years, and a relatively low dependency ratio of 0-14 and 65 plus (the ratio of dependents to the working-age population). As Liberia’s working-age population grows, the country could potentially experience a surge in productivity, savings, and investment, leading to accelerated economic development.
Despite the promise of the demographic dividend, Liberian youth face a range of challenges that hinder their ability to fully contribute to the country’s development.

According to the International Labour Organization (ILO) data, the youth (ages 15-24) unemployment rate in Liberia in 2022 was 2.8%. significantly higher than the national average. This is due to a mismatch between the skills of young people and the demands of the labor market, as well as limited opportunities for quality job creation.
During my attendance at two population programs in Ghana, I had the privilege of engaging with speakers who highlighted the importance of the youth bulge across Africa.

They emphasized that countries with large young populations, like Liberia, must prioritize policies and initiatives that empower youth, provide access to quality education and vocational training, and create meaningful employment opportunities for a great nation. I strongly believe we can achieve such, but only if the government can use population data to create opportunities for Liberian youth.

Unfortunately, the Liberian government’s apparent indifference to the needs of its young citizens is a significant barrier to realizing the country’s demographic dividend. Without targeted investments in human capital development and job creation, the youth bulge may instead become a ticking time bomb, with disenchanted young people susceptible to social unrest, crime, and radicalization.

To harness the power of Liberia’s youthful population, a comprehensive and versatile approach is required. First and foremost, the government must prioritize education by increasing funding for public schools, improving infrastructure, and ensuring equitable access to quality learning opportunities. This investment in human capital will equip young Liberians with the knowledge and skills necessary to become productive members of society.

Secondly, the government must work closely with the private sector to create meaningful job opportunities for the youth. This can be achieved through incentives for businesses to hire and train young workers, as well as the promotion of entrepreneurship and small-medium enterprise (SME) development. By fostering an environment that encourages youth employment and entrepreneurship, Liberia can unlock the innovative potential of its young population.

Additionally, the government should prioritize the development of vocational and technical training programs that align with the country’s economic needs and emerging industries. This will provide young people with practical, market-relevant skills, improving their employability and contributing to the nation’s economic diversification.

Furthermore, the Liberian government must engage with its young citizens, listen to their aspirations and concerns, and actively involve them in the decision-making processes that shape the country’s future. By empowering youth to participate in governance and community development, the government can harness their energy, ideas, and commitment to the nation’s progress.

As I conclude with hope and determination, I believe that Liberia’s greatest asset, which is the youthful population, will have the opportunity to contribute to the growth and development of both the society and the state if the chance is given to serve. As a student of population studies, I believe that the Liberian government must recognize the immense potential of these young individuals and take decisive action to empower them. By investing in education, creating job opportunities, and fostering youth engagement, Liberia can transform the youth bulge into a driving force for sustainable development, economic growth, and social cohesion. Harnessing the power of Liberia’s young population is not only a moral imperative, but a strategic necessity for the country’s long-term prosperity and stability.

Lionel Weah Toe is an Emerging Population Scientist and Research Fellow
Email: lionelwtoe212@gmail.com
Contacts: +231 776778090/ +233 536007440