The latest research from the Young Lives project, conducted by the University of Oxford, reveals alarming trends affecting young people in some of the poorest regions of the Global South. The study tracks the lives of 12,000 children across Ethiopia, India, Peru, and Vietnam since 2002, aiming to inform policies that enhance the well-being of the youth growing up in poverty.
The most recent data, focusing on participants aged 22 to 29, highlights the compounded effects of multiple crises, including the Covid-19 pandemic, the climate crisis, and ongoing conflicts.
Young Lives project: people being ruined by capitalism
The Young Lives project indicates that while progress had been made over the first two decades of the study, the impact of the pandemic has starkly reversed some gains. Key issues include rising poverty levels, increased food shortages, and significant disruptions in education.
Dr. Marta Favara, the director of Young Lives, noted the growing resilience among young people as many are returning to education and work post-pandemic. However, the effects of the pandemic and other crises are still having a profound impact, particularly on household food security.
Dr. Favara stated:
A clear example of this is increasing food insecurity, with many more young people now living in food insecure households than we expected to see. This is almost certainly the result of the pandemic and other shocks, including conflict, drought and floods.
Significant health and educational concerns were also highlighted in the findings.
Health and education under threat
Malnutrition remains a persistent problem, with Ethiopia reporting that 23% of young people are underweight. In sharp contrast, Peru faces challenges with rising obesity rates among its youth, with over 40% classified as overweight or obese. India experiences a dual burden, with 24% of young people underweight and 21% overweight, both scenarios posing serious health risks, including non-communicable diseases.
Mental health issues among the youth have surged, particularly in conflict-affected areas. A significant percentage of young individuals in Ethiopia reported experiencing anxiety, with 60% indicating moderate to severe stress levels.
Dr. Favara pointed out the potential long-term implications of these mental health issues, which are often overlooked in many parts of the world, noting:
Mental health issues are also of great concern, particularly given the incredibly low level of investment in mental health care.
Educational outcomes show some improvement, with more young people completing secondary education, and a notable shift towards higher education.
However, barriers persist, particularly in Ethiopia, where nearly three-quarters of 22-year-olds have not completed upper secondary school. In India, while secondary school completion rates have increased, young women from disadvantaged backgrounds remain underrepresented in higher education.
A similar pattern emerges in Peru, where socio-economic inequalities hinder access to university for poorer students.’
Young Lives project paints a damning picture
In terms of employment, the Young Lives project reveals troubling statistics about the quality of jobs that young people are obtaining. Most work in low-paid, poor-quality jobs often lacking any formal contracts, and dissatisfaction rates are high, with nearly half indicating they are unhappy in their work situations.
In Ethiopia, the number of young people not engaged in education, employment, or training has more than doubled over the past seven years, raising concerns about the future of many young lives.
Dr. Favara remarked on the complex interplay of education and employment:
More education does not necessarily translate into better jobs, leaving many young people struggling to meet their aspirations for a better life.
The ongoing challenges faced by these young people highlight the persistent inequalities shaped by the countries’ socio-economic contexts and the impact of global pressures such as climate crisis.
Of course, the real problem is the Global North’s persistent drive for corporate capitalism, which has inequality baked into it, along with a neo-colonialist approach to the Global South with extractivist policies that do nothing for the populations in these countries.
The researchers stress the urgency for policy change to tackle these disparities as the world moves towards the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Targeted support for disadvantaged groups is critical, according to Dr. Favara, in order to strengthen resilience against such external shocks and to empower youths to realise their potential in the face of these ongoing crises.
Featured image via the Canary
