Youth displacement

More than 600 million young people live in conflict-affected and fragile countries, where often the vast majority of the population is under 25. Over 17 million children under the age of 18 and 5 million youth aged 18 to 24 were estimated to be internally displaced due to conflict and violence as of the end of 2018 – more than half of the overall internally displaced persons (IDPs) worldwide. Millions more are estimated to be displaced due to sudden- and slow-onset disasters and other causes. Exact numbers are difficult to obtain, as only 14 per cent of the countries and areas with data on conflict-related IDPs disaggregate the data by age (Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre [IDMC], 2019).

Young people affected by displacement or other crises have specific vulnerabilities, needs and capacities. Crises often limit youths’ access to education and livelihood opportunities (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), 2013). They may be forced to take on roles as caretakers and earn money to sustain their families (Maguire, 2012). Resident communities and authorities may perceive males as a security threat – they might be at risk of recruitment into armed groups – while females are often seen as vulnerable victims. Displaced girls and young women are often exposed to harmful coping strategies, such as survival sex or early marriage (UNHCR, 2013). See also Gender in crises and post-crisis contexts. 

Young people may end up living in a state of limbo, without a solution in sight, especially if the displacement is protracted (UNHCR, 2013). The descendants of those continuing to live in displacement – even though they have not experienced displacement themselves – are usually affected by the social, economic and political consequences of displacement and the trauma of their families, sometimes accumulating in similar traumatic stress and depressive symptoms (Yildiz, 2012). In cases where return becomes possible, young returnees may find it difficult to reintegrate into often traditional, rural lifestyles, as they may lack the necessary skills or find the life less desirable (IOM, 2013). 

On the other hand, young people can be very resilient when faced with displacement and crises in general, and often demonstrate agency. They may take on important roles in self-organized groups and in supporting the wider community, for example (UNHCR, 2013). Furthermore, upon return or when integrating locally or elsewhere, they may introduce new skills and progressive attitudes that benefit overall development (IOM, 2013).

Youth should be recognized and treated as active agents of change. They can contribute to policymaking debates and processes that seek to avert and address situations of displacement due to disasters or conflicts, such as peacebuilding processes. Youth participation has positive consequences (Swiss Peace, 2018). In Nepal, for instance, a study conducted by the United Nations Peace Fund Nepal (UNPFN) showed that 98 per cent of the interviewees (from 1,377 structured interviews) agreed that youth participation in the decision-making was necessary to transform societies (UNPFN, 2017). See also Mobility dimensions of crises.