Building Youth Potential in Somalia

Somalia has one of youngest population in the world, with an estimated 70% under the age of 24 years. Youth face high unemployment, gender disparities, and climate-driven livelihood losses. Only 30% of employed youth are female, while 37.5% of women seeking jobs remain unemployed, compared to 23% of men. Social norms limit women’s access to high-growth sectors like energy and construction, further restricting economic opportunities. Urbanization (45% of the population, growing by 4 million by 2025) has led to slums, poor infrastructure, and environmental degradation, worsening economic instability. IDPs, particularly women, face heightened GBV risks due to insecurity.

The purpose of this paper is to provide stakeholders—including donors, relevant government ministries, and senior management—with a comprehensive overview of Save the Children’s strategic approaches to youth programming. The report details evidence-based strategies, lessons learned, and challenges encountered in our initiatives, aiming to
inform and enhance collaborative efforts toward effective youth development interventions.