“If we cannot prepare the future for our youths, then let’s prepare them for the future.”

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Youth Factbook: Infinite Possibility or Definite Disaster

The purpose of this fact book is to document the state of youth in Kenya. More specifically, the fact book seeks to present different youth indicators for purposes of providing an overview of age, gender, regional and socio-economic status of youth. Where data is available, East African, African and global comparisons are given to help us gauge our standing. The countries of analysis are randomly chosen.
The material in this book is collated from various secondary sources that are certified as credible. Since all these reports use different data collection methodologies, IEA has sufficiently referenced the work for further reading. The fact book covers 9 thematic areas. They include: Demographics; Health; Disability; Education; Family; Un/employment; Participation; ICT; and Crime. The facts are presented in charts, graphs and tables, highlighting simple observations.

The Youth Research Compendium

Given the central role young people played in the post-election violence in 2007, the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA-Kenya) sought to understand the state of youth in Kenya and explore the political, economic, social and environmental implications of a growing youth population now and in the future. In November 2010, IEA-Kenya published and launched the Youth Fact Book: Infinite Possibility or Definite Disaster? which generated considerable debate on the age, gender, regional and socio-economic dynamics of Kenya’s youth. In this second publication, the IEA-Kenya documents past trends which have contributed to the present state of affairs in youth demographics, employment, education, health, family, participation, vigilantism, crime, entertainment and sports. The work also identifies driving forces that have influenced these trends while analyzing those that are likely to shape the future. This is with the aim of understanding possible opportunities and risks that lie ahead in a country that is experiencing a demographic shift from a child-rich to a youth-rich population structure. A review of relevant policies to appreciate existing opportunities and gaps in order to design possible interventions is also incorporated in the researches.

Keys: Kenya Youth Scenarios

Keys: Kenya Youth Scenarios booklet gives a detailed account of four possible futures Kenya could face by 2031 as a result of a looming youth bulge. KEYS stand for Kenya Youth scenarios which are plausible futures the youth will face in future and their role in shaping their futures.

African Youth Report 2011: Addressing the youth education and employment nexus in the new global economy

“This report seeks to promote new and deeper knowledge of the potential of African young people and the broad conditions that have an influence on this potential. It acknowledges the predicament of African young people today, noting that they share visions and aspirations that are seemingly beyond their reach, yet are essential elements of today’s societies and the future which awaits coming generations. Accordingly, the report focuses on the youth-education-employment nexus in a global economy, because having access to education and later to employment is a precondition for poverty reduction, political stability, peace and security, and sustainable development. Well-educated young people are a source of efficient and productive labour, and a highly skilled and motivated workforce is essential to remaining globally competitive. The report analyses the interdependent relationship between education and employment and the challenges and opportunities facing African young people in these two realms within the context of regional integration and globalization. It provides information, describes best practices and poses questions that policymakers should take into consideration when working on issues that affect young people.”