Youth Demographics in Agriculture: Boom in Africa, Decline in Europe
A global snapshot reveals stark contrasts in youth demographics and employment in the agriculture sector. In Africa, the youth population is booming, with high unemployment, while in Europe, rural youth numbers are declining. Worldwide, around 16% of people aged 15-24 are struggling to find jobs, particularly in developing regions.
Africa's youth bulge presents both opportunities and challenges. With 60% of the population under 25, and one-third of 15-35 year-olds unemployed, the continent's future depends on creating jobs, especially in agriculture, which employs a quarter of the global workforce. Meanwhile, Europe's rural youth population has shrunk by 1.7 million since 2013, with only 12% of farms managed by those under 40 by 2025.
In Southeast Asia and Latin America, rural youth populations are dwindling. Kenya's youth agricultural employment has plummeted from 58.9% in 1990 to 28.5% in 2020. Conversely, the average age of farmers in developed countries nears 60, highlighting an urgent need for generational renewal.
Initiatives are underway to attract younger generations to agriculture. Germany's Bavaria and Austria's 'Perspektive Landwirtschaft' promote modern farming and cooperation. The EU, under the Danish Presidency in 2025, aims to enhance agriculture's competitiveness and attractiveness. In the Mekong Delta, young people aspire to careers in agricultural services and research, rather than field work.
The future of agriculture, and thus global well-being, hinges on engaging and retaining young people. With a thriving agriculture sector proven to reduce poverty more effectively than other sectors in low-income countries, innovative policies and initiatives are crucial to attract and retain the next generation of farmers and agricultural professionals.
